The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-10-03
A NARROW ESCAPE.

NARROW ESCAPE.
For awhile after the close of the war,
my otfce was just opposite Captain lis
and 1t was with great pleasure that used
to go over to the captain S, after business
hours, and listen to his "war yarns" as
he called them. He seldom spoke of him
self, but the following he told me of his
own personal experience, which | give in
his own words.
During the war | cid considerable duty
as spy, and on one occasion | came near
loosing my life.
just after one of our fierce battles, par
ticular information was necI.d concernin.
the condition of the rebel troops quartered
in our section. | was fully aware of the
risk | incurred, nor was | ignorant of the
fate awaiting me if | was suspected and
taken
l had reconnoitered pretty thoroughly,
gained about all the information necessary,
and was beginning to think of returning,
when the following inci.lent decided me-
W bile walking along, musing upon the
eA''''''5 e''''S ""ic" wire 'heh 'ranSpir
ing, | was met by a rebel private.
iIelloo, old boy you're going the wrong
.' 'e'''" - '''' '-''-''''''d 'o''e
VI '"'oe'
! i guess not, | replied careleSslv.
''''i 'i'''' - --'o" nest o'' Eoa
"''''' = '"0N "''' NE W '''e camp. IN
1"i''S 70 3e' "eSer P'''" oi Tue c@''i' tiat 5
'"'en F'''i '"e spy "ldei 'he ic1o"'
'''''i''arI'.
/ w hat about hm It's ali news to me-
| replied with little o"twari appearance
of concern rs possible, though my pulse
beat Il little quicker than usual at the man
""r -
lpa must b. deaf ,h"n, FOR cvcryhply i
talking about lam to-day, h" coarinac !.
iiiS name Is i"hl zones, AM IL ; been
>kuikinS round here, Listening to what the
officers say, pumping che men an trying to
iini "nt What tie next m've j. t. BE-.
there ; h"nmty g" his hea :, All !! he's As
goo IL dead man.
'Guol enough for him, cxcaimr |.
lnaintainin. The same Ia !!ffarcnt lem amor
His life iSnr worth nr;h, that's Il fact.
But | say. eomra.lc. I said. slapnin, niY
famiiiarly on the shoulder, isn't hanging
u little too go f,r tie rascll
The man replie With coarse laugh anl
an oath, and then rrs,, ~ i,,> way, Ieav-
Ing me in no cnvia; ir state of mind. Had
the fellow been acquainted With me-, detcc-
tion would hh'e been certain. W hen !
left the relel barracks in the morning, |
noticed nothing unusual; but NY absence
added to other circumstances, awakened
suSp.ci"n. Not moment wt~ t. be lost:
my HE dc pcn'Iei upon Instant c"Aoea!m'nt
as hlsiit at that n""r lt beng then t"nr
IN the altcrnOon) wOnii be attended with
extreme danger.
Without Further delay entered thlcN
growth OF trees near py ana looked about
Tor some place ni conceaihent. couid
discover nothing but Il large brush heap,
but as no better co"ia hc iound' conceal
ed myself Del cat" u us Wen Us possible
was none Too soon Tor IN a sho.' tine
heard the ira mp OF hofses tee9' anu the
'oices oi me"' "i''iout hai'ihS '"eS
passed the spot where lay. preaIhed
more freely when their shouts were lost IN
the distance. In my hiding place time
dragged slowly. The ground was cold and
damp from the effects OF recent rain'
which did not add much to the pleasant
ness OF my situation. | dared not stir for
fear OF attracting tie attention OF some per-
son VINO might be lurking IN the vic'n'ty'
FOR several days RAD not felt WELL
OWING to fhe effects OF the long march
had endured before undertaking this busi-
ness, and felt that was rapidly becom-
ing worse. Cold chills ran over me, my
head was hot and achcd badly, and a
general languor pervaded my whole sys-
tenn.
1t was nJ>. evening: the moon shone
brightly. What should l do? | feared
being seen if attempted to leave my COW
ert. But if it was dangerous TO 90, it was
equally so tc remain. For three hours had
lain there, bcnumbed with cold and grow
ing more feeble every moment.
/ At this jincture | remembered having
seen small cabin at short distance
determined to seek 1t, throw nysei upon
tbe mercy OF the inmates, and ask assls-