The times., 1897-03-21
THE SPY
How Robert Cochran Cheated the
Enemy.
An Exciting Story of Revolutionary
Times.
CBYEvERETT t. TosrLrNsoN.o

Robert Cochran was a spy from tn,
American army, and was returning from
visit in Canada, whittier his superior
had sent him. His object had been at
tained, and now If he could successfully
cover the few miles that lay between
MN and his own country, he would be
safe But he had been startled w hen nc
had approached the tavern in the settle
ment he had just left to see posted upon
| The door an accurate description of him
self, and an offer Of 5G-guinea reward
| for his capture.
| There was no more ardent patriot in
all the colonies that Robert Coo fran
| Alrcndy he had won a coIonels commits
| sion, ana at the time OF Burgoynes in
| vasion he lad taken an active part AT
| the head OF 200 militiamen he had held
| Fort Edward against the British. and
| had 80 won the confidence of all that he
| mad been chosen for this dangerous visit
| to Canada, from which he was now return
| ing.
1t had been long time since he had
tasted food, and he was feeling almost
famished and very weak. How he did wish
those twenty-five miles yet To be covered
lay behind him. He knew that the offer
OF reward for his capture had in
creased his danger, and he was certain his
greatest peril was yet TO he faced. But
hungry and tired as he was. he started
resOlutely onward assured that the forest
would afford him hiding place if one
should be needed, and he was fearful that
at any moment it might he.
Suddenly his thoughts were Interrupted
by the clatter of horses hoofs Some one
find a shelter he saw the stranger had
seen him. To attempt to conceal himself
now would only increase his danger, so
putting on a bold face, he started reso-
lutely forward The horseman glanced
keenly at him as he passed, but did not
speak and soon disappeared. That danger
was passed and there was one less to be
faced, for every stranger might suspect
him now, and the weary Robert somehow
felt that everyone must be as interested
in that notice on the tavern door as he
himself was.
He soon came to n little clearing On
the farther side was a loghOuse, and be-
hind it were two rude barns The stumps
Of the fallen trees and plies of brush lay all
about, and the picture before him was as
desoiate ana furlorn as the inner man of
Col Robert.
But he had little time to consider the
scenery, for he had caught the sound OF
horSemen behind him. Perhaps it WIS the
man he had met little before No;
there We're more than one He might be
returning with others and searching for
the spy.
Fifty guineas are worth saving said
Cochran smiling grimly, and looking about
for place OF Concealment 1t was too far
to return to the forest, for he would be
seen before he could gain its shelter He
might hide behind one of the Stumps. buthe
feared he would be seen, running swiftly,
he tore apart one OF the heaps of brush,
and had just covered himself, when, peer
ing between the branches, he saw three
men on horseback accompanied by dog
come forth from the forest. The horses
were walking now and the dog was close
behind. Cochran could see that the men
were talking eagerly, but he could not
hear heir words.
Suddenly the dog stopped. He'll track
me, and I'm lost" thought the spy, and in
a moment the dog was before the brush |
heap, barking furiously. But the men gave |
no heed to him, for they were too busy to |
pay any attention to a dog which would |
dig out every woodc1uCk along the road |
side. Cochran held his knife in readiness, |
and when the men had passed, with sud |
den lunge, he drove it into the dogs side |
Poor fellow he said, you're not to
blame, but you'll never hunt woodchucks |
again, nor spies either"
But the strangers had gone on to the
door of the house, and then dismounted
hn
others entered the house.
Maybe that's their home, " thought Coch-
ran. IF it is, it means ! shall have TO
stay here till dark Well, I've been in
worse places" and he tried to resign him
elf to the long waiting.
A halfhour had barely passed before
,hange came over the sky Rugged man
hat he was, not even his body could en-
lure the strain to which it had been sub
ected, and he began to feel i'll He was
rembling as If in an ague. The world
vas turning swiftly around. Violent pains
eized him and wrung from him grOans
which any passerby could have heard For
mother half-hour he endured. and then
rawled feebly from his hiding place Help
e must have. and the only place TO seek
) was in the log house He knew the men
1ere yet there, but perhaps they would
ot suspect him after all. Indeed. he did
ot believe his own wife or daughter
rould recognize him as he then was; but, |
owever that might be, he struggled ON
ntil he was near the house. Through the
pen window he could hear the voices of
ne people within.
Ill as he was, he suddenly stopped. What
as that he heard? Surely not his own
anne? Yes, there it was again, "Col.
ochran.' Almost in despair, he sank to
le ground, but he was SO near the window
lat he still could hear the conversation,
nd it was all about himself. Wen get
i'm and the 80 guineas, too, said one Of
le men. I'VE met Tom Clark up the
,ad, and he said he saw just such an i'll
Ukng vagabond as this Cochran coming
lis way. IN sure twas the spy. As soon
we've had our dinner wen start out
gain
Well, dinners ready now he hear1 a
oman say. Draw up your chairs"
he sounds that followed left no doubt
Cochran's mind that her invitation
as needed. But what was to become
him? There he was, the very SPY
ley were seeking, and within Il few +
lrds of them. If one of them should \
'me to the door lie surely would lie c
en-. He must attempt something He a
fought of the barn, and began to
ag himself toward it. With nany L
ruggles and groans he kept on I'LL at
st he managed to open the door. The '
rec waiting horses greeted him with | b
whInny. He could not hide there. Tor
e inen would soon come. But neither s
'uld he drag himself to the other tarn. L
e must try something where he was. n
rnrnti1 he In, InPr Il,