The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-11-22


act would confirm their suspicious. and
would be arrested and probably put tC
death as spy. Ii stands me in hand e
give them the slip before l take the bach
| track
After spending a very pleasant day Al
the camp. he returned to Memphis on the
latest boat that night, informing DIR. Bur
ton that he was going to Chattanooga &c
look MP Il brother whom he had not seen
in II years.
You'll come back?" said the doctor, as
he wrung his hand.
oh, certainly was the cheerful re-
Spouse. III be with you again before
long"
Col. Gaines. of the artillery, who heard
this conversation, now grasped the scouts
| hand
Webster. you'd make a good soldier. =
he said. bluntly. Hang me. if | wouldn't
ike to have you on my force"
Webster smiled gOOd-naturedly.
Il have some family business to attend
to before l could think of entering the
| army. After that | may remind you of
your remark
"Al right" said the Colonel. "any time
| that you are ready, come; l will make
| room for you"
On his way down the river Webster
found, to his relief, that the man with the
Oad-brimmed hat was not aboard the
boats. He now had hope of being able
to give his shadow the slip by lea Ting
Memphis on early train in the morning.
Arriving in sight of their destination,
the passengers on the ferryboat were sur
priscd to see that the levee was crowded
with people. Shortly after they learned
that this unusual gathering was caused by
the capture of the steamboat Prince of
Wales" by the Iebels.
Webster went to the Worsham Hotel
where he spent the night, and at = o'clock
in the morning. after making few prep
aratiOns, and dispatching an early break
fast, he repaired TO the depot. Arriving
there he looked carefully about on all
sides, but saw no one who seemed to take
any interest i'll his movements. so far.
so good" he muttered. as he boarded the
train: and the next minute he was leaving
the scene of his most recent exploits with
the speed Of the wind
lie was himself too shrewd and cum
ming to feel absolutely sure that he was
not followed. His own experience in the
art of ''shadowing" told him he had not
yet escaped the vigilant eyes of the Safety
Committee, but he resolved to elude them
if it was possible to do So
lnnumerable troops were being trans
ported at this time, and the train was
crowded with soldiers. Webster amused
himself by making the acquaintance of the
officers, and skillfuly drawing on their
fund of information until the train arrived
at Grand Junction, where he decided to
change cars for Jackson, Tenn.
Accordingly, he abandoned the Chatta-
nooga cars and boarded the north-bound
train, which was III waiting at the juno
ton. and again he was whirled away
across the verdure-clad country, this time
toward the land of the free But no
sooner was the train well under way than
something which came under Webster's
f.laa fTfTa
doubt as to whether he would be permit
ted to pursue his journey unmolested. He
occupied seat in the forward part of the
car, and on turning carelesSly away from
the window, after gazing out upon the
landscape for awhile, he was somewhat
surprised at seeing an individual standing
on the front platform of the car, looking
i'll through the glass door.
1t was person whose face and figure
had already become quite familiar to him.
being no other than the man who had so
followed him for the past few
days.
He seems determined not to let me get
away. thought the scout; but neither in
his face nor I-anner did he betray any OF
the disappointment he felt.
He noticed that his pursucr was not
alone this time, bat was accompanied by
another persOn-an Unlocking man of her
cUlean prOpOrtiOnS-with whom he con
versed in an earnest, confidential way.
When the train arrived at jackson.
Webster stepped out upon the platform of
the depot. and the two agents of the Safe
ty Committee did the same. The conduc-
tor stood ncGr by, and Webster spoke to
him in tone which he meant his shad-
ows to hear, asking:
How soon will there be a train for
I'm 20 Minutes" replied the conduc-
tor.
do you know anything about the ho-
tells thcreE" inquired the scout. I've got
to stop two or three days in the town, and
it's n strange place to me-.
The conductor recommended him to a
good house convenient to the depot, and,
him for the information. Web
ster walked away. He had spoken in a
tone that he knew must have been dis
tinctly heard by his enemies. and he hoped
this bit of stratagem would have the de-
sired effect.