Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-05-27
The DOUBLE ESCAPE.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES MouNTroRD.

~ ~ ~ - u ~ - 81.
One evening the services of spies was
the isubject of conversation; and, between
pause in the argument, the Colonel re-
marked:
Il think the majority of the so-called
spies who suffered were perfectly innocent
of any such intention. had narrow es-
cape myself.
aWe.dre listening for the story, uncle, "
cried his niece; "you must be very cautious
in your speech, or you will be forced into
the relation of a,story."
The Colonel smiled.
"An. old man is seldom unwilling TO re-
late his adventures" he said, "and am not
of the number of those,w are II
Everyone was becomingly attentive, and
after short silence, the Colonel continued
as follows:
~~Maior B. and had been schoolfel-
lows; later in life we were friends. At the
commencement of hostilities we joined op-
posite factions, He was Tennessean; l
had imbibed the politics OF old Massachu-
} sets, and .our difference OF opinion was
very natural.
Nevertheless, our friendship did not
change, and when my duty brought me
within twenty miles of his plantation, he
invited me to pay him visit.
"The change from the hard fare of the
camp, to the company and table of my
friend was pleasure was not likely to re-
"The Union troops were at that time VIC
torious, and although the. command to
which Major BA-w attached had their
quarters quite near, / anticipated no danger.
u eAttiring myself in plain clothes,
started upon my visit, reaching the Majors
residence at noon.
II was made very welcome, and passed
pleasant day. But could not fail to see
that my friend was preoccupied and very
grave, which was unusual with him, his
merry disposition being well known.
After nightfall, when we were seated in
the Majors private room, engaged with
cigars and talk, limited that he seemed un-
commonly serious.
Il am serious, Frank he said, with a
grave smile, and / believe l should tell
you why
: "I thought he should ana as requested
his confidence, he said that all his fear was
for me. %
Indeed cried /, Il am very comfort
able Just at present. How joyful all my
comrades would be were they in the same
situation.
+" Il doubt il, was the Majors reply. We
have advanced our lines, and you are now
within them. received the news soon
after you came. Your danger is heightened
by the fact that spies have been doing con-
siderable damage lately.
And I'm liable to be shot IL caught, chr
Il am afraid so.'
"The subject was dropped for the time
II was merely suspicion, and might not
be fulfilled. We became very lively as the
evening waned; but our conviviality was
suddenly dashed by the entrance of ser
want.
"The blacks eyes were almost starting
from his head, and he informed us, in an
| excited whisper, that posse OF soldiers
were approaching the house.
"This news was confirmed by the sound
of men and horses in the yard without.
"'Come into my bed chamber, cried the
Major, leaping to his feet. If there is
any danger it will allow us time to prepare
for it,
"He hurried me into another apartment,
and, locking me inside, went to review his
visitors.
an five minutes he returned, his face ex-
pressiye of the utmost concern. --r--.--
Its Captain Trock, he said, with a
company of soldiers. He's my enemy, and
into trouble. He told my wife he was in
search of spy, who had been seen in the
neighborhood. He certainly suspects you
10 be in the house, g
"This speech disturbed me not little. To
be executed as a spy was, even in idea, sim
ply horrible. I'll have TO run for IT.,
saitl. ~ ~
Yes, but you are liable to be captured,
and then nothing is gained. Here's my
uniform and he threw the articles upon
the floor. Dress yourself Immediately and
slip out of the window
eI have thought since that this was not
very sound advice. Should be discovered
in the enemy's lines. and attired in then
colors, would be almost beyond pardon.
"Asitwas, was allowed no time to think,
and quickly began to metamorphose myself.
| 1 was hastened by the sound of loudvoices,
raised to. q suspicious tone, Without; and, a
Z moment later, slipped through the win
/ dow.
"If he thought about it at all, the Major
doubtless supposed that IsNould remain
slulking near the house until the foes had
left the premises; but Il was driven away
by seeing soldier approaching just as
reached the ground, .ta
"He did not Observe me, and stealing
around to the front of the house, reached
the road, and started away upon the run TO-
ward the Union lines.
II hurried along for something like Q
mile, and began to regain my confidence
There was no moon, but the numerous stars
j gave sufficient light to warn me of the pres
ence Of foes should they appear, and also
unfortunately, TO discover me TO them.
."Major B. had said the Confederatei
had advanced their lines. and j expected
every moment to be challenged.
"Still I must proceed. The danger be.
hind was just as great, and far more certain
Suddenly heard the sound Of horses II
the wood on the right hand. guessed thai
the foes were there, aud leaving the opei
road in haste, passed among the trees upol
the left.
II stole along for some distance, and be
gan 10 think was 10 make clean escape
IBnt fate was against me, and when ] saw
two soldiers standing beneath q tree direct
ly upon q line with myself, and not over
dozen feet away, / gave myself up for 'on'
of the lost,
aBut they did not seem to have observed
me, and, halting immediately, 1 hope
: darkness would screen me from their eyes
"Five minutes stood there, motionless
| Tl.o folIouvo xvaro falkfn0 toOathar IN aomi