Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-24
THE SPY.

1t WAS the night OF dec - tnat n young
officer of commanding figure was seen slow
" approaching the camp of his general He
coon arrived at q log hut, the headquarters
Of Washington, and was Immediately ad-
mitted into his presence. After the usual
salutatiOns they began business, which.
however was carried on in such a tone a.
rendered it impossible to be overheard ex-
cept when carried away by the feelings OF
the moment they so far forget themselves
as to disregard this precaution.
"a spyr' exclaimed the youngman. Can
an officer descend TO the performance OF
such dutyp
"Do YOU love your country," was the calm
reply of Washington.
s'God knows / do. will do anything
consistent with my honor. But to enter an
enemy's camp as a spy-to be discovered
to suffer an ignominious death on the scat
foldi l fear not death. have courted it in
battle, but If fall l must fall with honorl
As spy shall only be remembered with
indignation and contempt"
"This is true" replied the general 81
will force no man to undertake such duty
against his will. But this is the hour OF
our country's peril. A moment may decide
her destiny. You are an officer, and there
fore ought not to be required to undertake
this office, but you alone are qualified, and
on your decision the fate Of your country
may depend. Reflect, and If the cause is
worth the sacrifice of your life depart and
take such precautions as you may deem
necessary"
He bowed and left the apartment. The
officer stood transhxed, When, having
slowly recovered, he returned to his quar-
ters, his cheek was flushed, his step hasty,
and he WAS evidently in great agitation Of
mind. On reaching his tent he threw him
| self on his bed and gave way to the torrent
Of his emotions, but comforting himself
with the consoling reflection that it was for
| his country he risked his life and that IL
the camp of the enemy as well as on the
field Of battle, an Almighty God was his
! protector, he took such precautions as were
necessary for his success, and with one com
panion Immediately proceeded on his per
ilous duty, using great circumspection to
prevent his person from being discovered
by the scouts of the enemy, who occupied
/ the road.
They had not proceeded more than mile
before the sky became overcast, the wind
arose in it's strength and blew with such
force that nothing could be heard but the
RroaninR of the forests as their huge trunks
| ~
came a hurricane. Vast branches were torn
from the trees and hurled into the air; the
giant oaks, with crash, were thrown to
the ground; the thunder roared, the light
ming CLEANED, and nature seemed as il in
the throes of death.
| Steadily ohey proceeded on their way,
congratulating themselves upon the uproar
/ of the elements, as most likely to favor
| their purpose Mile after mile did they
| traverse the country, and they began to
/ fear they had lost the road, when, on turn
ing a corner, they found themselves di-
rectly before large watchfire. Many men
were hanging around. Some were sleep
/ ing, others talking-but all too busy to
notice our heroes. Fortunately for them,
| the sentinel had not returned at the time,
and before he again performed his round
| they had concealed themselves in a narrow
trench dug for agricultural purposes, which
ran nearly parallel with the encampment
Here the officer, whom we will call Alfred
Post, directed his companion to remain
concealed and gather what information he
could, while he resorted to the other side
for a similar purpose, but charging him by
no means to leave the place till his return.
Having given these orders. he proceeded
up the trench upon his hands and knees
now, upon the approach Of the sentinel,
! lying quite still, now proceeding stealthily
upon his way. In this manner he per
formed the circuit of the camp, noting the
| position and the strength Of each regiment
as nearly as he could determine Having
this important information, he returned to
his comrade, desiring him to hasten with
all his speed to deliver it to Washington
while he intended to penetrate into the
| camp itself, IL possible, and gain more ac-
| curate information. The storm, which had
| gradually abated, now wholly ceased, but
| still the heavens were concealed under a
| thick mass of clouds. While in the trench
he accidentally overheard the watchword.
| He hoped that, with this and the darkness
of the night, he might with safety pass the
outposts and penetrate into the camp, and
he therefore Immediately proceeded TO the
execution OF his project. He reached the
sentinel, gave the word and was about tr
pass when the moon, bursting from under
the clouds, shone down upon the scene.
Stand or dieP was the prompt demand
of the sentinel as the American uniform
met his eye.
Escape was impossible. The Rrenadier
had loaded musket to the breast OF Post,
which, upon the least sign of resistance,
would have been discharged into his body.
In word, he was soon a prisoner and on
his way TO the tent of Colonel Rawdon.
The commander Of the British army was
sitting In his tent, in company with several
Of his highest officers, engaged In arrang-
ing the future movements Of the campaign.
On the entrance Of the prisoner the conver.
sation ceased, aud after short interroga-
tion orders were issued for a court martial
10 sit the next morning
Post was conducted TO another tent and
a guard placed over him, and notwithstand-
ing his dreadful situation on the very verge
OF eternity he soon fe into "A deep sleep,
from which he was aroused by his jailer TO
conduct him to his trial. The trial was
short The prisoners guilt was manifest,
and verdict of guilty was returned by the
court.
Colonel RawInu arose and was about to
address the court when the shrill report Of
500 rides rlng ON the air, and the next mo-
ment the whole American army advancing
charged with an irresistible force. The en-
envy was driven from the field, and Alfred
Post, through the timely Interference OF
his friends. was once more restored 10 his
friends and country, Exchange