The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-07-16
A MARROW ESCAPE

L
give in his own words
During the war had considerabl
duty as spy, and on one occasiol
| came near losing nv life.
Just after one of our fierce battles
particular information was needeI
concerning the condition Of the rebe
troops quartered in our section
was fully aware oftberisk / incurred
nor was ] ignorant Of the fate await
ing me if ! was suspected and taken
| had reeonoitered pretty thoroughly
gained about all the information nee
essary, and was beginning 10 thinl
Of returning, when the following in
eident decided me
While walking along, musing upoI
the exciting events which were theI
transpiring, | was met by rebe
private.
Hello, old boy, you're going tbs
wrong way cried he in an animst
ed tone Of voice.
Il guess not" | replied earelessly
We'll, l'spose YOU know best, but
you'd better go back with me TO the
camp. I'm going 10 get a descrip
ton Of the chap that's been playing
the spy, added the fellow, familiar
".
What about kim : Its all news 70
me," / replied with 8 little outward
appearance Of concern a. possible
though NV pulse beat little quicker
than usual at the mans words.
/" You must be deaf, then, for every.
body is talking about him to-day,
be continued
His name is Tom Jones and he's
been skulking around here, listening
10 what the officers say, pumping the
men and trying to find out what the
next move is to be. But they're on
his trace There's 8 bounty on his
head, and he's good as a dead man. "
Good enough for him, ] exclsim-
ed, maintaining the same Indifferent
demeanor. His life isn't worth
much, that fact. But say COM
rade," | said slapping him familiarly
on the shoulder, isn't hanging lit
lie TOO good for the rascal:"
The man replied with a coarse
laugh and al oath, and then passed
bis wsy Had the fellow been &C
gusinted with nv description detec-
ton would have been certain.
When / left the rebel barracks In tie
| noticed nothing unusual /;
but nv absence, and other eircum-
stances, awakened suipicioD Not g
was 10 be lost; NV life de-
pended upon instant conceslment, az
fight al that hour lit being four in
he sfternoon) would be attended by
extreme danger.
Without further delay ! entered a
.hick growth ofuees near by and look
d about for some place Of conceal
nent ] could discover nothing but
! large brush heap. but as no better
,ould be found / concealed myself be
leaih il a. well as possible
! was none too soon, for in 8 short
ime ! heard the tramp Of horses feet
md the voices Of men Without
lalting they passed the spot where !
sv. ! bresthed more freely when
heir shouts were lost in the distance.
n nv hiding place tine dragged
.lowly The ground was very cold
md damp from the effects Of 4 recent
ain. which did not add much 10 the
,leass ntness Of nv situation ]
Jared not stir for fear Of attracting
be attention Of some persons who
night be lurking in the vicinity
For several days ] had not felt
veil, owing 10 the effect Of the long
march ] had endured before under
aking this business, and ! felt | was
apidly becoming worse Cold chills
an over me, nv head was hot and
ched badly, and general languor
ervaded my whole system,
1t was now evening; the moon
hone brightly. What shall ! doy
feared being seen fl attempted TO .
ave nv covert. But If il was dan
erous 10 go, il was equally SO TO re-
lain- For three hours had ! lain
here. benumbed with cold and grow
lg more feeble every moment.
At this juncture ] remembered .
aving seen 8 small cabin 81 a short
istance. ! determined TO seek il,
nd throwing myself upon the mercy
{ the inmates 10 ask their assistance
Dd protection.
Pushing aside the bushes cautious
Z, and glancihg from side 10 side, !
-ept hurridly q little ways on nav
ands and knees, and then gradually
iised myself TO an upright position
his was not accomplished without
we're effort nv limbs were weak
I'd cramped. and l could hardly
ak for the pain it gave me. NV
Fad was so light and dizzy that If
a. some minutes before | could rec
lect in what direction the cabin was.
ui at length nv senses returned
ID i moved slowly forward.
seovered the light which shone
ON the window; approached the
bin, but paused at hearing the
'und Of voices Taking & few more
useless steps was enabled TO
ance through the rude window.
wO men and two women were with !
j could bear the voices plainly
0m where / stood, and ] listened TO
e If could not gain some clue TO
e character Of the inmates.
Il am quite confident that we shall
eceed, said one
The reward is worth trying for {
yway, returned the other.
What viii be done with him if be
ould be caught :" asked the young
Of the two females.
NO matter They won't be likely
let him 60 again, said the elder, !
man with q significant shrpg Of his |
o1lders.
He'll be treated as spies usually {
E probably" remarked the middle J
ed woman, who had not before I
oxen. {
The younger sbuddered and look I
thoughtful. Il wish there was !
such thing as war: il 80 brutali- :
: human nature, = she said earnest c
after a pause. e