Year: 1874

at this point, the current was not so strong
and swift The barrels made fine float,
and by hanging to the ropes, had only to
keep my legs going to get along at fair
speed A slight mist was rising from the
water, and it was impossible for me to see
more than a rod in any direction. did
not attempt to hold my course against the
current, but headed the barrels in direc-
ton which made progress easy, and which
believed would land me something like
mile above the Bluff.


1t seemed to me that was full hour in
making the crossing, and when my feet at
last touched bottom, and cautiously waded
to the grassy bank, was shaking like one
fence ran along the river bank just beside
me, and after time climbed up on this
and took a long look in every direction.
could see further here than on the river, but
my eyes were not able to discern any signs
of the Confederate encampments. This fact
argued well for successful result to my ex-
pedtion. took off all my garments and
gave them wiring to clear them from wa
ter, and when had donned them again,
still feeling cold, held a boxing-match
with an imaginary antagonist for about
five minutes, the exercise thoroughly warm
ing me up. Just as got through, heard
the reports Of several muskets half mile
below on the Bluffs, which were answered
by the Massachusetts pickets on the island,
and then knew my location better.


What Colonel Devins most wanted was
information concerning the force of the en-
emy opposite the centre of the island, just
where the Union forces contemplated q
crossing and battle To secure this in
formation, must work along down the
river through the woods. Just how was
to enter the Confederate camp and secure
license to perambulate among the men and
Notifications, could not tell but, knowing
that could not secure any news by re-
naming where l was, leaped over the
fence and began advancing through the
field. After short walk, struck the
Bluff, and then made a "right oblique"
movement and got into the woods. The
colonel had told me before starting, that
the ground back of the Bluff, opposite the
centre of the island, was clear of trees for
the space of seven or eight acres, and that
here would find earthworks. He believed
that no force of account was encamped
above the clearing, but that the great ma
jority of the Confederate camp was between
the clearing and Leesburg. Remembering
these suggestions, made my way through
the trees with the intention of striking the
clearing, trying in vain to form some sort
Of programme as l walked along.


After progressing about half mile, just
as 1 had leaped over log lying across my
course, some one sung out "Halt ~ in a
loud voice, and heard the click click of
an army musket. Knowing that had en-
countered a Confederate picket / sank
down, crawled back over the log, and laid
quiet, waiting for further developments.
ha6 not long to wait. The picket shouted
to know who was advancing, and threat
ened to fire if he did not receive reply to
his challenge. After moment, his loud
tones attracted the attention of some of
his comrades, and three or four advanced
towards me. dared not rise up, and
knew that any movement would betray my
presence. therefore hugged the ground
closely, and directly heard their voices close
at hand on the other side of the log.


"What did the noise sound like ?" in
quired one of the men, as the group
halted


".Just like some one falling down on
brush heap" replied the picket. "I didn't
see any one, but I'll bet it was man p


The next three minutes were passed in
listening, butI made no movement even
holding in my breath that they should not
discover me. They came close to the log,
one of the soldiers dropped the butt of his
muslEet down on it within fifteen feet of my
head, and remarked;


CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.