Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-03
TWO UNION SPIES.

TWO UNION SPIES.
While acting as spy for the Unior
AMY of the Cumberland, whose head
quarters were then at Nashville, Tennes
see, was supposed by the confederates te
be very bold and daring smuggler
whom it was their interest and duty to
encourage, because brought many ar.
ticles within their lines of which they
stood greatly in need, especially quinine
which / secured in Nashville through
the connivance of the army police, as it
was called, and which 1 subsequently
disposed of at profit of several hundred
per cent, thus having the double salts
faction OF serving my country and reap
ing large pecuniary reward.
MY route was generally from Nash
vile to Chattanooga, taking in the
smaller towns and villages within radi-
Ms of fifty miles.
/ had been some months thus employ
cd, going back and forth, and had not as
yet met with no serious adventure, when,
bne day, as l was quietly riding along a
country road, small squad of cavalry,
from a cross road dashed out directly in
front OF me.
On seeing me the party at once pulled
mp a across the road, and the leader call
cd out gruffiy:
"Halt! Who are you?"
"a good confederate" I answered, in
acheerful way, riding up to the group
With smiling air of confidence
~ AS I did so, my eve fell upon young
ERE whom had more than once met,
and whom 1 had good reason to believe
Eas Union spy as well as myself.
There was just the slightest possible
darling glance of recognition on either
side; but, slight as it was, the leader per-
ceived it, and quickly demanded:
''Do you know him? Have you ever
met before?'
"Know whom, sir?' Iqueried in turn,
with an innocent stare.
"Know your brother traitor, foolr' he
harshly rejoined.
mo, sir" I replied, looking from one
TO another; because, If there is traitor
among you, he is no brother of mine"
I'm this second glance around 1 noticed
that the young man was very pale; and
though evidently riding his own horse,
and apparently as free as any of the
others, believed him to be prisoner;
and if he was a prisoner, doubtless L
should be one also, which was not pleas
ant to contemplate.
James Hackett," said the leader, turn
ing abruptly to him, "do You know this
fellow"
81 do not, sir" was the quiet firm
reply.
81 don't believe itr' was the gruff re-
loinder; ~ believe you're both internal
liars and traitors, and deserve hanging,
which you'll both get before long"
Having thus delivered himself, in a
tone of savage bitterness, he again turned
to me.
"Who are your he demanded.
"a loyal southerner," was my answer
believing my life depended upon convinc-
ing the leader that this assertion was
true.
"Umphr' he sneered; ''a pretty loyal
southerner you are, riding around the
country like lazy drone, while your fell
low-citizens are in the army fighting for
your rights. Where do you belong"
AIn Chattanooga"
"Where were you born?'
I'm Chattanooga"
'.What is your name::"
~sAlfred Hammer"
Have you pass?"
~ have. sirr I answered, triumphant
ny.
"Quick, then-let me see who has
been fool enough to give you permission
to rove about the country in citizens
dress"
took out my pocket-book and opened
it, expecting to frd there the pass which
4 had previously received from General
Bragg, and which so far / had never had
occasion to use but once.
To my dismay, and even horror, it was
not there. I had either lost or mislaid
IT.
know turned pale, for I could feel
the blood retreating from my face; and
then, with great upward surge, it came
back and redeemed my skin to the roots
of my hair and made my brain swim
and ears sing, as remembered like
fash that about month before / had
taken it out with some notes which I had
lain away, and had forgotten to replace
It. and which very carelessness might
now COSTUME my life.
"Well, ''said the cavalry leader, gruffiy,
ms henoticed my agitation, ''you don't
seem to produce itF'
81 had it, but / fearI have mislaid it"
smd L
ssOh, yes" he sneered, "you had it but
have not got it now, and this little trife
OF being without it will cost you your
life am for stringing You both up here
- once. What say you boys?" .
~rve no objections, lieutenant, if