Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-12-06
TESTING A SPY.

Junot at Lisbon. Inc distance was
not great, but the country through
which the messenger would be Obliged
20 travel was infested by band OF
guerrillas who carried on an irregular
warfare on their own account, mueh
to the annoyance and detriment oil the
French army. These lawless volun'
teers fought from their ambuscades
in the forests and mountain passes
with unparalleled ferocity, frequently
surprising detachments OF the regular
army and capturing their stores and
ammunition. The heroic deeds oil
General Castanos, the guerrilla com
mandei .in,chief were echoed through
out Europe, and it was well known
that no gave no quarter to French
prisoners. Therefore General Murat
could find no soldier DESTROYS otunder'
taking an errand so traught with dan
ger.
In his dilemma he sought the adj
vice OF Baron StrosanoH. the Russian
ambassador, who was friendly to the
French cause.
The baron, being well aware OF the
gravity OF the situation, deliberated
for several minutes; the result was
the following suggestion; Send one
OF your most reliable Polish lancers
in Russian uniform" he said. with @
\ verbal message to our admiral, now
! in Lisbon harbor. He, in turn. will
communicate with ,Iuuot without
arousing the slightest suspicion on the
part OF the English. No doubt your
| courier will be arrested as core ottimes
en- route; but as my country has main.
/ tanned neutral ground thus far. II Is
not probable that the result will DO
fatal. Castanoa is too much OF u dip
lomat to risk the displeasure OF Rus.
| STA, and, by observing the proper eau
ton, it will not be difficult to deceive
him"
General Murat was charmed with
this clever proposition, and at once
ordered the Captain OF the Warsaw
L4ancers to select from his company a
brave, reliable fellow who could be
trusted to undertake the important
mission.
Early on tine following day. Lieuten.
ant Lackinsky, young Pole. eighteen
years OF age, sought audience OF the
French general, who explained the
nature OF the service he required oI
the youth, without conCealing the
perils it would entail. LaCkinsky
nothing daunted, declared with q con
tcmptuous smile that he eagerly
awaited an opportunity to prove
how little he feared the guerrllas, and
that he was prepared to set out at
once on his journey.
Pleased with the young Poles On
thusiasm, as we'll as with his evident
desire to distinguish himself, the gen
eral repeated with precision the mes
sage to be carried to JunOt.
Baron StroghnoH's Russian dis
patches having been duly secured, tn
courier started for the coast, com
pletely armed, and disguised in tn
uniform OF an officer of the Czar'i
guard
Nothing CT Importance occurred IN
til the afternoon oil the second day
) when our hero entered a deiile in tn
mountains near Talayera. lie hn,
not advanced more than quartz
OF q mile when he was met by half
dozen guerrillas, who, without waitin
to pnrley, roughly dragged him iror
his horse, seized his weapons. and le
him to chapel in a cave hard by
where he found himself face to lac
with the terrible Castanos.
> who are YOU" asked the guerrilI
, chief, in French, while he angril
, scrutinized the prisoner.
Alive to the danger OF his positio
: Lackinsky's heart failed him for a
( instant, but, quickly recovering hi
presence OF mind, he fixed his eyes o
! his interIocutor's face with n NEAR
ingless stare. Presently he answere
, in German: 81 do not understand
Castanos called one Of his officer
I and requested him to continue tn
: examination in the prisoners ton-u,
! / Observing the utmost caution lest b
: an lnadvertent expression ne migt
, betray his knowledge OF French, h
Y Pole replied to MI the officers que
tlOns either in Russian or German.
Q During the examination the chap
a had become crowded with guerrilla
: attracted there by curiosity and
: desirc for excitement. Each hun. Il
on the prisoners words, eager to d
tect the slightest evidence OF deceptic
Z on his part.
= Suddenly there was aninterruptio
4 caused by the appearance OF CaJtano
n leading by the arm peasant who
IA he placed before the Pole, sayin
. ''Look careiully ut this man, and t,
us whether he be Russian, Gcrma
d or, as | strongly suspect, ours
9 French spy"
. The peasant obeyed, and present
y replied in a loud, decided tone: II
is q disguised Frenchman. A +,
d weeks ago, when took load OF III
d to Madrid, this was tile very ofic
Q who signed my receipt"
2 Lackinsky betrayed no sign OF ier
~ md the expression OF his countenan
Il did not vary, as lie looked from o
= to the other OF the excited soldif
}. who surrounded him. They Won
u have torn him to pieces had not tn
% general, discouraged by the failure