The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-31

4
" Is it possible are you sure?"
"Have the kindness toread them, general. /"
Unfolding thepapers he looked on the maps
and glanced over the schedule accompanying
them-and then carefully perused the written
explanations. Every moment or two his face
would light up With apeculiar beaming smile,
and then change into keen vigilant scrutiny,
as the information he was cleaning was pleas
ing or obscure He read all the papers
through and then commenced and scrutinized
them again. Apparently they gave him room
for surprise; for laying them down on the
table, he looked up at Zera, and fixing upon
her his splendid eyes, gazed upon her long
and searchinsly.
| At last, as if satisfied with his inspection,
he said: "My boy, you are the most ex-
traordinary creature have ever beheld-
here have you brought me documents twice
containing Information, that / could have
thought cheaply purchased at the price of
pitched battle. When say these papers are
invaluable to me, Il do not overrate their i'm
portance, since they place in my hands the
keys of the State from the capital to the Dor
der,) what am 1 to think of your" and the
chieftain gazed upon the young being before
him in absolute amazement.
Think, general, that am very happy in
having been able to serve you, and more than
happy in meeting your kind approval"
"But how, in the name of all that is won-
derful, were you able to accomplish it? ?"
'Ohl very easily, general AS you are
aware, arrayed myself in feminine apparel
and, accompanied by a person acting in the
capacity of my servant, reached Rolla three
days ago. Taking great pains to have my
toilet perfectly recherche, called upon the
little Dutch commander, representing myself
as an emissary of the commanding general of
the department, who wished explicit informa-
ton of the situation. In evidence of this
fact, I showed him my pass, commanding all
officers to further my business and permit me
to 60 whittier desired unquestioned. But
to dissipate any suspicious that he might
have, told him that as the bridges were
burnt, and no direct communication could be
had with the city, and the country being full
Of insurrectionary parties the general thought
his dispatches could be more safely intrusted
to lady than man. l communicated with
him in French exclusively, and as he speaks
French, quite fuently, this in itself charmed
him. In word, he believed my tale, and
furthered my design with the utmost celebrity.
Parties were sent out in every direction to
survey the country and to make accurate
maps of the different roads, military defenses,
and in short, everything you desired to know.
These were all completed ON yesterday after
noon, and in an hour afterward was in the
saddle. have ridden without drawing rein
since then.
"You are certainly the shrewdest and most
successful scout have ever seen in my life.
And SO young, too-why, you can't be over
sixteen, and yet you have done what the old
est officer in the army would scarcely dare
attempt?"
"You are disposed to flatter me, general"
"Not at ALL speak the simple truth but
is there nothing in which 1 can oblige your"
81 don't know, general thought would
ask you-Colonel Taylor, that is my father"
stammered Zera, in much confusion, "has
been arrested and thrown into prison on
some charge or other; the nature of the
offense with which he is accused 1 don't
know but heard the fact of his arrest"
"Indeed-can this be true ?"
81 fear it is, sir the intelligence seemed
to come direct, and 1 thought may be you
would be good enough to try and help him."
"That 1 will, my son, that 1 will,
if / can-your brave father shall not
languish in prison if I can help it; but
you are tired and hungry, and besides have
not yet seen your cousin-he is much i'm
proved since you left and is now about, and
almost well; go then to his quarters and
find rest and refreshment, and do you and
he come up and see me this evening, and
we will see what can be done for your father,
my brave old friendl"
'Indeed am very grateful to you, gen.
eral; good morning" and Zera turned from
the room.
'Strangel" muttered the general, "very
strange what splendid intellect that child
possesses He seems to have been born
deplomstist and turns men around his fingers
as if they were the mere puppets of a show.
Strange vable- incomprehensible /"
And the general commenced the re-exami-
nation of the papers SO singularly acquired.
Mounting her horse, Zera rode slowly in
the direction of the rangers, quarters, stu
ated in the outskirts of the town. AS she
went along many friendly nod and pleasant
greeting met her from the men and officers
who had heard of her achievements as a
scout, and who were yet to be surprised by
the startling feat she had just accomplished.
Before night the camp rung with the intelli-
gence that young Taylor had penetrated the
enemys camp and had absolutely taken maps
of the situation. As startling was the
story of his success-and in the eyes of
the men these were almost incredible
they fell far short of the real facts New
erthless he became hero in their estimation,
and the undisguised admiration with which