Year: 1864

the least disconnected at being prison
er. lie had been laken too many times
and escaped, to feel very serious about
it so With the greatest apparent candor
and good nature, he assured them that
he was confederate officer engaged in
the secret service, and was now on his
way to sporryville, where he intondel
to penetrate the Yankee lines and spy
his nakedness performing in the inter-
i'm deeds of martial renown that would
have reflected honor on the Knight ofthe
Cid.' He represented to them the eX
trsme value of his time, and dilatod al
large on the immense injury they were
doing the Just aud holy cause every
instant they detained him. But the
fellows were sharp, aud required some
thing more substantial and convincing
than his word to satisfy them Of the
propriety of allowing him to ride about
the country at pleasure.


The guertillas took the scout away
from the road TO the westward, through
the forest, and from the manner in which
they followed the narrow and crooked
path they must have been well acquain-
ted with the locality. They led Moore
to the base of a mountain standing be-
tween Madison Court House aud Spcr.
ryyillc, known in that part Of Virginia
as the old Rag, belonging 10 wha, is
called the Pine Range. Some distance
up the steep side OIL this mountain, at
the base ofa gigantic preciPice, is a
cavern ofoousiderablo magnitude, part
ly natural and partly artificial, and into
this our scout was conducted. In tho
cavern he found large lot Of guerrillas
assembled, who crowded around him,
loudly swearing vengeance on his deyoi
ted head if they discovered him Ioss ibs q
Yankee spy, which they strong shs'
pected. Moore entertained e fierce
and motley assemblage willrdtht same
story as when he was first Captured
His conduct was apparently SO simple
and unaffected, aud bis etfrontery was SO
consumately skilful, that the major per-
lion Of the bushwbackers were quite
convinced that he was whd he styled
hiinself--a rebolspye A few, however.
Of the more cautious thought it advisa-
bic, under the circumstances, 10 keep
him under partial surveillance until
morning. at which time, if they disco
yerOd nothing suspicious in his conduct
they would let him proceed on bis mis-
sion. Alier they had informed him of
the conclusion, which he listened 10
With an air of sloical indifference, he
Informed them with sleepy yawn that
he had ridden a long distance, aud was
very tide, and would pass the night with
them as best he could. A blanket was
brought him, and the scout rolled him.
self up aud lay down on the cold rocky
floor as his guards thought, TO slumber


He did not sleep, however, although
his deep and heavy respirulions indica-
ted sIumber. He lay intcntly watching
overy glance and motion Of the guerril-
las. aud marking every word they utter.
ed For awh 10 several of the most


cautious Of the gang kept pretty sharp
watch of the scout, but as he appeared
SO utterly Indifferent, and slept SO sound.
Iy, they were fully convinced Of the
tfulhfulness Of the statement he had
made in regard TO himself. As the
night woned, one by one the guerrillas
lay down upon The rough floor OF the
cave to sleep, till finally no one, save
the guard at the entrance Of the groI,
was moving about. The scout lay
peacefully quiet maturing plan Of es-
cape. the while watching every move
Inent OF the sleepy guard as he leisurely
paced up and down tho subierranOan
passage. After while the sentinel
stopped, yawned and stretched himself
lazily, then leaned his shoulder against
the side of his cave as IL disposed to take
a quiet nap while standing at his post;
Here was an opportunity not to be neg
lected by the scout. lie cautiously rOis.
ed himself TO a sitting posture and list
enOd The heavy breathing and loud