The National tribune., 1901-03-07


fortune, and entering the building, we
ments.
After waiting for about half an hour
was Informed that my presence was re-
quired by the Captain, and the guard con
Quoted me upstairs TO his room. AS
entered l found myself face to face with
Capt. Ellison, who was pacing excitedly
up and down the floor. Stopping imme-
diateiy in front Of me, he glared fercely
at me for some minutes without uttering
word.
l was a sorry figure to look at, and as
/ surveyed my weather-soaI:cd and mud
stained garments and my bare feet | could
scarcely repress laugh, although | was
deeply angered at the sudden and unex-
pected turn affairs had taken.
What is your name?" imperativcly in
quired the Captain, after he had fully
recovered himself, and had taken his seat
at a table which stood in the room.
''E. J. Allen" replied
What is your businessT'
Il have nothing further to say" cool
ly replied, and 1 decline to answer any
further questions"
.'Ah" said the Captain, $50 you are not
going to speak. Very well, sir; we will
see what time will bring FORTH
He endeayored to impress me with his
Importance, and played restlessly with the
handles of two reyolyers that lay before
him on the table; but l saw too plainly
through his brayado, and | knew that the
scoundrel was really alarmed
Finding that he could not compel me
to answer his questions, he turned to the
Sergeant and ordered:
Take this man to the guard house, but
allow 10 one whatever to converse with
him. We will attend further to his case
in the morning"
10 4 I. II
fitted officer as l departed, to which he re-
piled with an oath, and then l was con
Quoted downstairs and placed among the
other prisoners.
| found myself in mixed and ncon-
gruoGs assembly, indeed. Most of my fel-
low-prisoners were stupidly drunk, and
lay about the floor like logs; others were
laughing and singing, while some were in
dulging in Wild threats against the men
who arrested them. Here l found my
companion, who, representing himself as
Southern man, had already become ac-
quainted with two secessionists, who were
laughing and talking about what they
would have to tell when they obtained
their release. He soon ingratiated him
self witt these men, and before daylight
had obtained from them a revelation of
certain matters that subsequently proved
| of great value to us in our operations.
AS for myself, my feelings can better
| be imagined than described. InwardIy
chatting against the unfortunate and dis
| agreeable position in which i found my.
| self, was deeply concerned regarding the
| situation OF affairs at the residence OF
Mrs. Greenhow. | had given no definite
| orders TO my men, and they would be
| doubtful as to what course to pursue un.
| till they heard from me. and here | wa.
prisoner in the hands of the man against
whom | had grave charges to prefer, and
whom l had detected in reasonable cor.
| respondence. Added TO this, my wet gar.
ments and the cold atmosphere of the
| room in which / was confined affected me
| with degree of chilliness that was dis
! treSsing il the utmost. l shook like al
| aspen, and my teeth for time chatteret
| like castanets. 1t may be imagined that
the hilarity of my fellow prisoners had but
| little charm for me, until at length on,
| of the guards very kindly brought me
| blanket and an overcoat, which wrapped
about me, and soon began to feel more
comfortable.
Despite the aggravating circumstance.
under which / suffered, l could not re-
frain from smiling at the ridiculous ap.
pearance must have presented as l stood
before the irate Captain who had caused
my arrest. My hat was battered down
over my face, and my clothing was spat.
tered with mud from head to foot, and
| was dripping with water as | stood there
| One might more readily imagined that /
| had been fished out of the Potomac than
| that was Chief of the Secret Service of
| the Government, in the performance oi
duty.
BY the Captains orders L was prevent.
! ed from conversing with my fellow-prison-
ers, so turned my attention to the guard.
VI q IN nrNrfp IT, n<.Nf