Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1882-12-21

tangled with low underwood, or up
hill or mirv, breaking their ranks, and
scattering the men in confusion, whilst
at intervals they had to wade through
patches of splashy ground, into which
foot and horse sunk knee deep, and
with difficulty toiled through, only
again to plunge deeper into some
marsh.
Still these difficulties might be only
on account of tha untrodden path it
was necessary for them to plrsn", and
might [orDode no sinister intentions
on the part of their guide. On, there.
fore, they were commanded to strng-
gle their way, encountering fresh OBJ
stacl es at every step. At ength hors
es plunged in swamps and fell eX-
hansted; men groanel and died. BY
the most strenuous efforts, General
S., his staff, and the remainder o
the troop attained an eninence, over
looking ~ wild desert plain. 1t w4-
Int t"e work Of AN instant to dispatch
scouts to reconuOltr1; and sleZe and
brlrg before the general the Polish
jew guide. Suspicion was indeed
stlon. against the batter, not onIv Tor
bringing them through tt Is mola-s,
evidently with view to dshearien
AID discomfort the soldiers, bat twice
during the confusion be had enaeavor
ed to escape; and now, whether over,
come with fright or guilt, would dc
nothing bnt prost rate himself on the
ground, and exclain, Mercy, mercy,
Vain were assurances Of safety, useless
all mterrogatores as 10 his kuowled ge
Of the road or the proximity OF the
Rn,sians; tie same bDllIl prayer ior
ru.rcy, the same irartic cry Of despair
alone rose upon the stiffness of the
night
During thi. oaroxy.n the scouts re.
tarnei, bringing with .hem peasant
who bv dlnt of threats and brlbes, IN.
formed them that the Russians, whC
were at least double their mum Der
we're encampea within mile of the
place, and expecting the arrival OF the
Saxon detachment, hat the road they
had traversed conducted them throngl
slough to the enemys camp, where,
if any Survived. they couli easily DO
dispatched before they hal obtsined
firm footing, being previously worr
ont with the tAtigues they must under
90 IN their march.
BY which read can we escape the
snare into which we have been vd?'
demanded the general OF the peasant
"E.silv enough WAS the reply
"You have only to descend on youl
right, and keep the beaten path, anc
YOU turn vorr back. on the Russian
forces.'
"Yo shall 90 with us, friend, as q
surety for the truth of your dIrestion.
replied the general, "and pray you,
added he Significantly, "to rem 'rk
how we punish false guide.
He leant his mouth to Stern berg s
ear, and gIAncing contemptnonsly at
the still cronching Jew, whispered lis
commands in few emphatic words.
The aid de-camp started; bnt, with
true military subordinatlon, ventured
not upon expostulation with his saper
ior.
In few seconds the sound Of twelve
spades might be heard trenching the
moist earth, surely and deeply. The
souna smote upon the stiffness of the
night, impressing silence ard awe. aud
conveying something of terrible i'm
port to every listener.
The harsh tones Of the general
broke upon this unnatural quiet: seize
and bind yon bowling spy, and cast
him into the trench which is digging
below; then form into ranks, and ev-
cry man march over the traitor Jew s
grave.
For brief instant there was q
paNse of horror but ere the general
could look his dlspleasure the hercest
behest was fulfilled. Yell after yell
burst from the struggling wretch as
he was hurried down which was
shortly exchanged for stlaed and
smothered crieG,as the earth was heap
ed over the h4pIess victim Of his own
luplic,ty and the generals revenge.