The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-19
A Narrow Fscane.

A Narrow Escape.
One cool September dav. says writer in
the Washington Star. a small party Of confed-
crates could be seen vending their way down
the dusty road that leads into the little town
OF WarrentOn. And from the tired look OF
the men and the steaming sides of the horses.
l one could plainly see that the cayalcsde had
ridden fast and far
The company we're a party Of the rangers.
ana at their head rode their chief, Messy, on
a black steed. while the rest OF the men
tiotted on behind in a leisurely manner and
made the air ring with their leSts and gay
songs, 1t was true that the enemy might
I come IN sight al any moment. or that some
| stray bullet from foe hidden IN bush might
cut snort the laughing words on the merry
Ups. but familiarity with the horrors OF war
| nad bred an easy indifference. ana these men:
though daily facing death, thought no more OF
their danger than If they we're riding to
picnic IN some neighbOrIng grove.
IL was Just about noon when the party dis
mounted at farmhouse. And in an instant
the Jolly contederates were the center OF an
admlrlng group that crowded about them and
the eager host fastened TO bring out for their
entertainment all the good things that his
laruer AFFORDED. The men were hungry. and,
seated beneath the huge oaks, they were soon
discussing the relative merits of the butter
milk and fried chicken with which they were
pienttuIly pplled. But time wore on, and
the men, forgetful OF its passing. sought re-
trees
, y
rang out on the still afternoon air and the
contederates sprang to their horses just as a
porty OF mon troops dashed IN sight around
Denu IN the road In a moment the rangers
had leaped on their steeds and galloped. out
OF sight down narrow woody lane that ran
near the barn and partially concealed them
from view In fact. their escape would have
been successful, had not one mans FESTIVE
nag delayed the fellow so long in mounting
that the approaching squad caught glimpse
OF the gray jacket as il vanished in a cloud Of
dust IN the distance
All of the rangers had gotten out of danger
except their leader. Mosby who was in the
house when the alarm was given and had not
neard the warning cry. So when he-Iooked
up from the book which he was reading,
while resting IN the cool of the hallway, he
! saw the union troops charging in at the gate,
which was only few hundred yards away.
IL was too late now to escare, and while the
tederalS did'not yet know of his presence they
would search the house and it was only
matter Of few moments before he would be
, a prisoner in their hands.
In the parlor Which opened into the hall.
young lady sat sewing and her quick wit took
In the situation at a glance.
Here, step in this clock case she hur-
riedly whispered as she threw open the door
OF an immense old clock that stood ticking in
one corner of the hall. And il a moment
MoSby had squeezed himself into its dusty
recess
BY this time the union men were dismount-
ing bit before they entered the house the
lady had seated herself and was quietly
sewing.
The union officer strobe into the room and
looked anxiOusly about
Are there any rebels concealed in this
house he demanded in loud voice.
"Mosby's men we're here a while ago" she
replied, but they all escaped as your troop
came in sight,
The officer glanced about the room and his
quick eye caught sight of a man. soft felt hat
thrown carelessly on a chair.
Search the house he ordered of three
men who were waiting his commands.
In moment the men in blue were swarm
ing over the house and pokng into every nook
and corner. They commenced at the garrett,
search NJ each room closely as they de-
scended, and the rattle of their sabers could
be heard distinctly in the hall below as they
tramped about, throwing open closets and up
setting beds.
Presently all gathered in the hall and we're
discussing in disappointed tone their fruit
less search, --.-...-...-
Every moment seemed an eternity to the
ranger shut up in the hot, dusty depth of the
old clock. and the warm air had grown almost
unbearable. Yet he dare not move. for only
a few feet away he could plainly hear the
angry tones of the yankee officer, and the
least motion meant capture or death. Slowly
the moments dragged on, and still the men
fingered.
Finally, the occupant of the clock felt an
uncomfortable deSiro to sneeZe. And as he
realized the fact he broke out in a cold pers-
piratiOn at the horrible thought. To prevent
1t was something beyond his control. but a
sneeze would surely be answered by bullet
through the clock case, and the ranger felt he
would prefer the danger of facing his foes in
an open light
Suddenly bright idea came into his mind,
and just as he bent his head to sueeze he gave
pull on the pendulum that sent all the
wheels whirling in a loud confusion.
The union men glanced SusplclOusly at the
noisy timepiece.
i am afraid that clock needs mendng :"
remarked the lady, carelessly, as she turned
down a new hem in the linen on which she
was sewing, and her quiet voice disarmed
suspicion
With a sigh Of relief Mosby heard the off,
| Ger command his men to mount. and pres
| emily the gallop Of their departing horse
| hoofs fell on his delighted ear, and scarcely
| had the echo died away, when the clock few
! open and the exhausted prisoner struggled
| out in an almost suffOcated condition.
merry laugh had the ranger over his mar
| row escape, but all the dangers that he faced
| during four years of Dloodshed there we're
none that tried mis- nerves like the terrible
half hour spent in the Old clock case.