The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-01-11

The subaltern touched MS nat In sign
of obedience, and orders were soon after
given for the troops TO be in motion.
Their march was conducted with all
possible silence and precaution, and tor
upwards of an hour proceeded In security
and hope. By degrees the way became
more intricate and entangled with low
underwood, or uphill and miry, break
inc 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 the untrodden path 1t was
necessary for them to pursue, and might
forebode no sinister intentions on the
part of their guide. On, therefore, they
were commanded to struggle their way,
encountering fresh obstacles at every
step. At length horses plunged in
swamps and fell exhausted; men groaned
and died. BY the most stenuouS efforts.
General s., his staff, ond the re-
mainder of the troop attained an
eminence, overlooking wild and desert
plain. 1t was but the work of an instant
to dispatch scouts to reconnoitre, and
seize and bring before the general the
Polish Jew guide. Suspicion was indeed
strong against the latter, not only Tor
bringing them through this morass, evil
IDENTIFY with view to dishearten and dis
comfort the soldiers, but twice during
the confusion had he endeavored to
escape; and now, whether overcome
with fright or guilt. would DO nothing
but PROSTATE himself on the ground, and
exclaim. Mercy! mercy! Vain were
assurances of safety, useless all inter-
rogatories as to his knowledge of the
road or the proximity OF the Russians.
the same shrlll prayer for mercy. the
same frantic cry of despair alone arose
upon the Stiffness of the night.
During this paroxysm the scouts re.
turned, bringing with them peasant.
who bv 1int of threats and brides, in
formed them that the Russians, who
were at least double their number, were
encamped within a mile Of the place. and
expecting the arrival of the Saxon de-
tachment; that the road they had trav-
ersed conducted them through slough
to the enemy's camp, where, if any sur
vived. they could be easily dispatched
before they had obtained a firm footing,
being previously worn out with the
fatigues they must undergo in their
march.
"By which road can we escape the
snare into which we have been led?" de-
manded the general of the peasant.
Easily enough" was the reply. You
have only to descend on your right, and
L II ft,t,
backs on the Russian forces"
you shall go with us, friend, as a
surety for the truth of your direction,
replied the general, ''and l pray you"
added he, Significantly, ''to remark how
we punish false guide"
he leant his mouth to Sternberg's ear,
and glapcing contemptuously at the still
crouchiug Jew, whispered his commands
in few emphatic words. The aid-de-
camp started; but, with true military
subordination ventured not upon expos.
tulation with his superior.
In a few seconds the sounds Of twelve
spades might be heard trenching the
moist earth, surely and deeply. The
sound smote upon the stiffness of the
night, impressing silence and awe, and
conveying something of terrible import
to every listener.
The harsh tones of the general broke
upon this unnatural quiet. "Seize and
bind yon spy, and cast him into the
trench which is digging below; then form
into ranks, and every man march over
the traitor Jews grave.
For d brief instant there was pause
of horror; but before the general could
look his displeasure the fierce behest
was fulfilled. Yell after yell burst from
the struggling wretch, as he was hur-
ried down. which was shortly exchanged
for stifed and smothered cries, as the
earth was heaped over the hapless victim
of his own duplicity and the generals
revenge.