The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-01-24
THE EXPLOSION.

THE EXPLOSION.
The Summer of 1906 was one of constant
alarm and expectancy on the Western
frontier The most busy man in the Ma
ton that year was Gen. Wilkinson. What
with terrifying New Orleans. transport
ing troops to the Sabine, calling out the
militia, preparing them for the field, and
writing long letters to the Secretary Of
War, the General had his hands full. He
was the most important parsonage on the
frontier. Beside being the Governor of
vast territory, he was the Commander-in-
Chief of the Army; and the critical rela-
tons subsisting between Spain and the
United States fixed upon him, for the
time, the eyes of the two Nations.
Late in September he repaired in per-
son to the Sabine where, for several
weeks, body of his tropos had been con-
fronting the Spanish camp. More than
ever, things wore warlike aspect, and
the American soldier was impatient to be
led against the hated Spaniard. War
seemed inevitable, and Wilkinson himself
daily expected conflict, when all of a
sudden an incident occurred which changed
the appearance of everything. The very
means which Burr adopted to precipitate
war was the direct and only cause of pre-
venting it.
On the Sth of October, while the Ameri-
can soldiers We're resting on their arms
they hourly expected to engage, young
man suddenly rode into WilkinsOn's camp.
He was attired, like most gentlemen who
Travelled in that day, in brown suit, with
Ieggins of leather and broad brimmed
hat. This man was Burr'S confidential
friend. Samuel Swartout. AIsled by false
information, Swart0ut and his companion
had been travelling for nine weeks to
reach Gen. Wilkinson and deliver his mes
sage. Leaving Ogden to continue his
journey to New Orleans, Swartout hast
ened TO the camp of Wilkinson.
The officers and soldiers stared at the
tall, ungainly youth riding an undersize
horse, which was pretty well blown with
its hard journey.
Where are you from?" an officer asked
as the uDgainly youth with fiery Don
Quixote temper, and judgment fully as
rash as that noted knight Grant, drew
rein and dismounted.
Il am from the East he answered
haughtily.
You seem TO have Travelled pretty
hard"
Il have been iaveling nine weeks and
run down three horses traycrsing this ac-
cursed country. But where is Col. Cush
ing!'
do you wish to see him.
81 would not have asked if / had not
wished TO see him.
Come with me and / will show you TO
the Colonefs quarters"
The young man, leaving his horse to
Craze on the grass growing about the
camp, went to the headquarters, where
Col Gushing was found with Gen. Viii
kinson. On being told that this was
young man who had come from the States
10 see him, the Colonel rose and asked:
Whom have l the honor"
Perhaps this will explain said the
naughty, mysterious youth, handing him a
letter. The letter was from Cen Dayton,
n hTfrU nd
tiOning SwartOut as Mr.. Odgen's travel
ing companion.
$50 you are Mr. Ogden" began the
Colonel.
in the letter. Mr.. Ogden has gone to New
Orleans"
Il see. / see. Gen. Wilkinson, permit
me TO introduce you to Mr.. SwartOut, the
friend Of Gen. Dayton"
Gen. Wilkinson, who had never met
Samuel Swart0ut before, rose. grasped his
hand, and welcomed him to Nachitoches
and requested him to take a seat with
them at the table Swartout did so, and
said:
Mr. Ogden and myself were on our
way TO New Orleans, and learning at Fort
Adams that your troops and some of your
militia were assembling at Natchitoches
to march against the Spanish army, | de-
cided to come and offer my services as a
volunteer"
said the General, land, 1 assure you, you
are welcome to our camp, and if hostili-
ties should commence you shall have an
opportunity TO serve your country"
For some time he remained at the head
quarters Of the General, and his CONVEX
sation was such as would lead anyone to
believe that his business to New Orleans
was Of commercial nature, aud could
be conducted by Mr.. Ogden during his alb
sence.
During the conversation an under officer
called on Col. Gushing about some matters
that compelled the Colonel to leave the
Generals quarters. The ColoneI's ex-
cused himself and retired.
No sooner was the visitor alone with
Gen. Wilkinson than he drew from his
pocket the packet with which he was in
trusted, and shyly slipped it into the Gen
erals hand.
What is this2" the General asked.
Something for you to read when alone.
You will understand it," and with this
Swartout rose and left the quarters. Light
ing a cigar he strolled about the camp,
COMFORTING himself, in all respects, as be-
came his assumed character OF a yolun-
teer.
Gen. Wilkinson was a little mystified
by the conduct Of the young man. His
suspicious had been reused, and he de-
termined to probe the matter to the bot
tom. From the moment of receiving that
mysterious packet, he conjectured that il
was from Aaron Burr, whom he had al
ready begun to suspect.
But il was not until evening that Will
fkinson had time and opportunity to ex-
anime the important packet. He found it
to CONSIST OF three letters, two OF which