The National tribune., 1900-11-08
SPY OF THE REBELLION


While he was speaking a man drove up
to the front of the hotel with a fine, strong
team of horses attached to a covered road
wagon. and throwing the reins acSoss the
back of his horses, leaped lightly to the
ground.
Here is man who can help you,' said
the landlord, as the newcomer entered
the room; and then he called out:
Harris, come here"'
The driver of the team came ever to
where the three men were standing, and
the landlord at once made known to him
the wishes of Webster and the messenger
of the British Consul.
Harris, these gentlemen want to get to
Baltimore to-day. Do you think you can
manage it for them?"
The man addressed as Harris gazed at
Webster and his companion in a scrutiniz-
ing manner, and finally, apparently salts
fed with his investigation, sgnlied his
willingness to make the attempt, provided
the price he demanded, which was $50, was
agreed to.
Both men assented to the payment of
the sum named, and after dinner had been
partaken of the two men took their seats
in the vehicle, the driver cracked his whip
and they were upon their way.
81 cannot promise to take you through
to Baltimore" remarked the driver, after
they had started; 81 was stopped twice on
the road yesterday, and 1 may not be able
to pass the guards to-day"
"Do the best you can," said Webster,
good-naturedly, .'and we will take the risk
of safe arrival" u,
A MYSTERIOUS COMPANION.
Webster then turned to his companion,
who had remained silent and watchful ever
since they had set out, and endeavored to
engage him in conversation. The bearer
Of dispatches, however, was very little in
clined to be sociable, and Webster had
great difficulty in breaking through the re-
serve which he resolved to maintain,
The further they journeyed the more
Webster became convinced that this man
was not what he assumed to be, but he
vailed his suspicious carefully, and ap-
peared as frank and cordial in his manner
as though they were brothers.
Nothing worthy of note happened upon
the route until the party arrived at the
outskirts of Perrymansville, which had
been the scene of Webster's first expert
ence in military service, and where, few
months before, he had been a member of
a company of cavalry. They were trotting
along quietly, and as the day was balmy
anG bright the ride was quite an enjoy
able one, and for moment the detective
forgot the grave duties which he had un-
dertaken and the dangers that might sur
round him, and gave himself up to the
full enjoyment of the scenes around him.
His pleasant reflections were short-lived,
however, for just as they were entering
the town they saw a mounted cavalryman
approaching, who, as he reached the car
riage, commanded them to halt.
The driver suddenly pulled up his horses
and then the soldier, in tone of authori-
ty: "Who are you, and where are you 60
ing?"
1--WE are residents of Baltimore" an
swered Webster, not at all dismayed by
the stern appearance and manner Of his
soldierly interlocutor, "and we are endeav-
oring to get home"
you will have to go with me-" replied
the soldier, decisiyeIy; "you can't go any
further without permission"
Here was detention as unwelcome as
it was unexpected, but Webster had recog-
nized the uniform worn by the soldier as
that of the very company Of cavalry he had
previously been member of, and a dupli-
cate of one in which he had previously ar
iayed himself. The man who had accost
ed him, however, was unknown to him,
and he could, therefore, do nothing but
submit quietly to his orders and await a
favorable operation of circumstances.
AS Webster glanced casually at his COM
panion, the British messenger, he was sur
in the expression of his features. Instead
Of the calm, digni6ed air of watchful re-
pose which he had observed before, his
face had grown pale, and there was such
an unmistakable evidence Of fear about
the man that Webster's suspicious were
confirmed, and come what might he re-
solved to ascertain the nature of his bust
ness before they parted company.
They had Travelled but a short distance
uHutI tHt tSCOII VI tutif SudIu Wueu tuty
met another man dressed in a similar uni
form, and evidently a member of the same
company, and as Webster gazed at the
newcomer he experienced a sensation of
relief and joy, for in him he recognized
an old companion-i in-arms.
A LUCKY MEETING.
AS this man approached nearer Web
ster called out from the carriage, in a
CHEEKY voice:
Hello, Taylor! how are your
Thus suddenly accosted, the soldier rode
up to the vehicle, and after a momentary
glance at the features of the detective, he
reached forth his hand and cordially sa-
luted him.
why, Webster, how do you do? The
boys said you would not come back, now
that the war had commenced, but l knew
better, and am glad to see you"
The face of the reputed Englishman
cleared in an instant, as he found that
his companion was among friends, and this
effect was not lost upon Webster, who had
been furtively observing him. He turned
his attention, however, to the soldier who
had addressed him.
"Oh, yes," he replied, 81 have come
back; and my friend here and L are anx-
ious to get to Baltimore as soon as pos
sible." sfr is
"That will be all right" said the soldier;
and then, turning to his comrade, he said
''These men are all right; you will permit
them to pass"