Year: 1868

}. IL.
artillery officer, to whose favorable report Of him
self he attributed his present interview with his
superior officer. The object of the question he
could not divine but glance at the two officers,
and moments thought, set his mind at rest -
They evidently were not making sport Of him.


81 sometimes have Joined in fox-chase, Colo
onel but I am no adept in thesport," replied Vic
tor. " ..


SWELL at oil events, you know how huntsman
feels when the dogs come to dead loss, and the
whole field is at fault-the trail ran to dead end |;
and not making anything out of it, the fox seem
ingly gone up like Elisha, or do,on like Banquo's
ghost Have you any acquaintances in the city?"


''None, sir except few among the soldiers
replied Victor.


"No one among the citizens knows you?" asked
the Colonel.


"Not one, as well as can remember, sir, re-
| piled Victor.


THAT is quite fortunate, remarked Lieutenant
McGregor. ut would not answer to entrust the
business to one who is well known. think Victor
will do" q. -.


"What am to do, gentlemen p asked Victor,
looking somewhat embarrassed.


"Take seat, my young friend, said Colonel
Giles; II intend to employ you in tracing out
SPY who communicates all our movements to the
enemy You are stranger to me, but Lieuten-
ant McGregor, who CHANGED to fall in with you this
morning-to whom I spoke upon the subject OF
ferretting out spy and his Observation-Disclosures
your nameto me asthat of one who might, perhaps,
be suitable person to aid me. You are very
young and inexperienced, but these qualities will
serve to throw off their guard, offenders who would
be especially on the alert against older and more
crafty agents So, at least, Lieutenant McGregor
thinks; and perhaps, he is right Our best de-
tectives are all thrown off the scent. But we are
satisfied there are spies who report everything to
the enemy that passes in our lines. Do you think
you can aid me in detecting them?"


81 would scarcely know where to begin, or what
to do" replied Victor, extremely embarrassed ;
''but am willing to try, sir, if you will only give
me instructions what am to do. |"


"Well, can put you on the trail, y replied the
Colonel; "and all you will have to do will be to
keep wide awake and improve every opportunity
that occurs of gaining knowledge Of the associ-
ates in the plot I have arrested and sent to the
city, one who, I am sure, has been trying to hold
communication with the enemy, and l will send
you over to watch him and see by what parties he
is employed; for, am quite satisfied, he is only
the agent for others"


"When am I to go, sir, asked Victor, seeing
that the Colonel continued silent ......


"This very hour" replied the other; "the less
you are seen in camp, the better. l do not wish
you known or recognized as soldier. You Yill
carry to the Provost, in the city, letter which |
will write, and he will give you further instruc-
tions, and whatever assistance you may need ask OF
him. 1 shall give you papers to show your real
character as q soldier on service in the city, but
lthese you will not exhibit, even if arrested by the
provost guard unless your arrest will interfere with
the objects you have in view. You can only be
carried before the Provost, and, knowing your bu-
siness, he will promptly release you. You under
stand me?"


"Fully, SIR" replied Victor, who began to con-
ceive relish for the duty in which he was to be
employed. 81 cannot promise success, but will
do all can to ensure it.


"Very well; I have no doubt you will succeed, "
replied Colonel Giles. ''Boys are more wide awake
than men, excite less suspicion, and 60 to work
with more hearty zeal and energy All this is in
your favor Call here in about half an hours
time, and I will have all the necessary papers
ready for you but be sure you breathe not syl-
liable of the service you are to be sent on to any
friend or comrade." -


81 shall not sir" replied Victor, rising to retire,
and making his best bow. The jovial Colonel
laughed at him heartily but good humoredly.


"Pardon me, young comrade; but bow is 50
unusual courtesy in camp, that l can but laugh
at it almost as heartily as at the queer little bon
net in which my grand mother was married. We
only use simple military salute, here-but you
will fall into our ways-only our better ones, |
hope-in time"


At the appointed hour Victor returned, and the
papers were handed him with the simple state
ment that the Provost Marshal would aid him
with his counsel and assistance, if he should find
it necessary. ...'..


Victor at once took his way to the city. The
service had been thrust upon him so suddenly,
that he had no time or opportunity for rejecting
upon the novelty and awkwardness of his position
and the difficulties of the part he had to play until
he found himself alone and on his way to the city
He Liza lrally, and quite correctly, attributed his
selection for such duty, to the prepossesson and
influence of the young artillery officer, who had
charmed him so much. Lieutenant McGregor,
notwithstanding his extreme youth and modesty,
had that straightforwardness and earnestness of
character, which makes the influence Of their pos
SCISSOR felt by all with whom he comes in contact.
Earnest of purpose and strong in conviction him
SELF his very modesty, by disarming envy and jeal-
ousy, enabled him, the more readily, to impress
upon others his feelings and thoughts. Knowing
nothing of Victor but what he had gathered by
watching his conduct under trying and novel cir.
cumstances, and by an hours subsequent inter-
view with him, he had formed most favorable es-
innate of his character and qualities and trusting
implicitly in his own intuitive judgment of char
acter he did not hesitate to urge Colonel Giles to
avail himself of Victor's services, when he dis
covered the perplexity of that officer in finding an
agent to discover and bring to light the secret cor
respondents and spies of the enemy. He felt as
sured that Victors alertness and quickness Of ap-
prehension, together with his sense Of the respon
sbility imposed upon him, would make amends
for his inexperience whilst his very youthtulness
would tend to disarm the caution and suspicion OF
those whom he was sent to watch. He had quick
and discerning eye and his youthfulness OF ap-
pearance would Danish suspicion as to his purposes
/ n =