Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-08-13
The Spy.

hE OPI,
y CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRD.
L,ve been looking over an old diary
y said the Colonel, (which 1 COM
d the day l joined the forces at
was my firm intention at that time to
N exact and minute account of every
that occurred within my knowledge.
had continued it, the book would
considerable interest to-day; but, for
Ety of reasons, the idea vas not car
q last time I wrote in it was the
% on which quite a remarkable char
appeared in camp.
Fas then in Missouri. Our duties had
me time lately consisted merely in
ing the loyal inhabitants and prevent
/ Gathering Of re-enforcements. This
his, of course, not possible in a strict
There were many bands of Confed-
who constantly harassed us, and
6shes were the occurrence Of every
day, Just at shutdown, a man rode
nmp. He was a very short man; his
kungely short and bowed. His face
ID, with a short stub nose, %glittering
eyes. Long, brown hair fell in a
(lmass upon his shoulders, and his
were greasy and worn.
outstanding his queer appearance
sa parsonage of considerable impor-
and bore dispatches from General
Ter he had discharged his commands
med to have had liberty given him to
iththe troops,f for he was soon making
with men of his own cheerful dispo-
my knew him imperfectly or had
stories concerning him and his ex-
was a noted spy, said to be in the
ence of the commanders, and had re-
the name of Billy Black, no one
d to know exactly why.
Fas a listener while he told q funny
} two, and was so pleased with his
Ter that | wrote an account of it and
my diary.
pday following we had a skirmish in
tay horse was killed under me, and
It the diary.
this was not the most important loss
day.
u Black had been trusted with an
TO the dispatches he had brought.
left camp in the early morning.
night he returned on foot, with a
serious wound in the hand. He had
Faylaid by a party of marauders, cap
and his papers taken from him. He
anased TO escape during the skirmish
ur troops, his party having been our
tants. and had now returned to report
+ papers We're Of considerable i'm
&c, and the spy determined to re-
hem. He knew into whose possess
fey Lad fallen, and this made his task
possible.
wound having been cared for, he
out that same night, at about twelve
toward the encampment of the
shers.
ty had their headquarters in q little
called Gordon, distant about seven
(Sk made such good progress that he
q the outskirts of the town several
before daylight.
had taken care to disguise himself
fountryman, and he walked boldly
e town.
mad not gone far when the sentinel
l' him to a halt. Black made such
answers, and his manner was SO in
s with his appearance, that he
the soldier without encountering
us suspicious.
( :spy's papers had fallen into the
VI the captain of the troop-a young
new to the arts of warfare, but who
gallant soldier nevertheless, and had
Us leel the effects of it that after
Ps gentleman had quarters at the lit
/, and when the spy approached the
= 81" a light, although the curtai MS
ne persons We're making merry in
ase' Tor Black could hear the sounds
saler and clink of glasses.
rest OF the little village seemed fast
NO. even a dog came out to bark at
|tHrnal visitor.
IN Considered deeply within himself
l'ment, and then endeavored to open
Or.
vas locked; but the party inside had
- heard his attempt, for the noises
as though they were listening.
,pE raped loudly for admittance,
Instant later the door was unbarred,
ri opened couple of inches, while
tlessed up to the opening.
Ae H., said Black.
nan refused; but our adventurer
t Ii now to plead, and, after consid-
,lh' and with more than one of the
IaAefs, he was admitted.
thhlhg inside, Black looked around
a as company and their situation as
~; n we're four men in the room-three
confederate uniforms-the other
P'oprletor of the house.
"A St saw with delight that the young
Eu mas one of the party, and imme-
st;; pon MS entrance the officer began
"n MIN as to his condition and
f fny 5old a long, rambling story to
Id IL; us presence there that night,
AZ MS powers of entertainment SO
sa -. not only warded off suspicion,
en.'iemen, who had drank enough
Id merry conner agreeable to them.
kuno nin to their table and ordered
ma a%l Tern had been the first time
w . oIncer had distinguished himself,
d NJ, "a an excellent humor with him