St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-06-21
The Ride Of the Union Spy.

The Ride Of the Union Spy.
In Edmund kirke's new book. ''On
the Border published bv Lee Il Shep-
ard. we find a chapter descriptive Of a
midnight ride of Jortlon. the Union spy.
who is the hero of the volume. 1t is
chiefly Interesting Is an illustration OF
the intelligence Of the horse.
/ The night was dismaliy dark. and the
rain was falling in torrents. when. in the
gulse of an old negro. Jordan emerged
from the cabin, and with rapid steps.
made his way 10 the rude log-barn,
which stood surrounded bv high worn
fence, III the centre of the little clearing.
As he softly lifted the heavy wooden
latch, a low whinny followed bv the
quick paving of steel-clad hoofS. sounded
from the inside Of the barn. as if TO wei
come his coming. 1t may he that with
the acute ear of her species. the mare
recognized the tread of her master. and
gave vent TO these expressions, in token
Of satisfaction at the prospect of being
relieved OF the companionahip OF the an
clent mule that WAS snoring soun,lly in
the adjoining stall, Horses, doubtless
regard mules very much as the negro re-
cards that other hybrid, the mulatto.
''Be quiet. Beauty-be quiet Not a
word" said Iordon in hoar>e whisper.
as he entered the barn and softly closed
the door behind him.
While he was doing this the animal
backed out of the stall. and stepping as
If she were treading on eggs. came to-
ward her master.
We've long road before uS. Beau
ty have YOU had enough TO stand it till
morning = whispered the man. putting
his mouth close to the ear OF the marc.
She raised her head. and placin" If
gently over the mans shoulder embraced
him. but gave no sound. brute or human.
The night is dreadful dark. INV lie
may han" on your cyc-ight VIII vou
be careful ,''
Another and warmer embrace was the
answer
"Well, then. lets he going but step
softly till were out OF hearin.~
The man undid the door. and with the
horse went out into the darkness, Clos
mg the door h. turned 10 the animal
again. and said in whisper:
''Nuw Beauty, keep your c.es open;
YOU shall nave Il bu>hcl oi oats in the
morning"
A.ain the mare am-wcrcd-tl.i~ time
by rubhin" her nos against the mans
features.
Don't do that. YOU fool :" exclaimed
he .,an: You'll rub oil the charcoal. e
The mare hung down her head. and
pa;tlng her on the neck. AMI speaking
quickly. aS il fearful of havim. wounded
her feelings. Jordan said:
Never mind. Beauty. it don't mat
ter, but il shows Your ewes are only half
open: open them wide il you want to
hrl ? me >avr kentuchy.
A":iin she put her head over Li> >houl-
der, and then. a. hr bounded into the
saddle. she walked slowly and softly
away from the clearing.
When they had zone about quarter
OF mile. the man resumed the ronycr-
sation. Bending down over the saddle
bow. he said i'll his usual tones:
Nov. Beauty. ewes anl ears both
open. but give them your hecl>->how
them YOU had a great grandfather
The mare gave low whinnv. and
then flew forward like the wimd-or like
the lightning, which every now AMI then
lighted up the desolate highway.
To account for the readiness with
which the mare understood her Muster. il
is not necessary TO suppose that She WAS
acquainted with the English language.
ANY one who had listened TO the whl>-
pered colloquy between the two would
have observed that the man conveyed his
meaning, not by his words. but by the
different infections OF his Voice. which,
dclicately modulated, could, ike the notes
OF the cultivated singer, express ideas
without the aid OF language. The train
ed ear of the horse understood these
sounds. and this shows her wonderful in
telligence. nave hcsltated about bring
inc 4 brute creature into my storv-ro-
nance writers generally do hesitate TO
describe exceptional characters-;tnd |
do SO only in justice 10 this noble ami
nal, that like her master, gave her life
for kentucky.