The Border Spy; or, The Beautiful Captive of the Rebel Camp / A Story of the War

and Blood-The Avenger-The Oa

man with mine eyes, and

en, cut short a

thou this fiend of

's length set h

ve him too.-

ver and anon he would pause and listen. It was evident he was pursued by the party from whom he had jus

ending to the earth, he crept cautiously along, concealing himself as best he could, by the under brush and tall grass. But he was not long to remain undiscovered. One of the rebel party, ha

d penetrated his breast, rendering a dangerous, if not fatal wound, from which th

through his brain?" ask

im. But stay. His tribe must not know of his death. Throw him int

to contain the bodies of a dozen men, but, unlike the majority of such old water-escapes to caverns in the bowels of the earth, the mouth of this hole was s

ill trouble us no

buried

atter. Let us

orward to the river bank. Here he paused for a moment and li

r a pause. Then he drew a small whistle from his pocket, and sounded a shrill

met some of the soldiers, and suffered at their hands. At all events, it will be useless now for me to go again to camp, as the guard will be doubly vi

ngth he emerged into an open space, near the summit of the ridge he had been traversing, at the opposite side of which appeared a rude log cabin. He sprang forward with a smile a

the threshold to welcome my return? No answer! All is silent there-and all is desolation, too. The creeping vines are torn away-the flowers choked with weeds-the beauty of the

! William!

!" cried William, as he sprang into the arms o

ut where is my fa-- oh! I fear

nge here, I suppos

why this change? I

liam, and then I will answer you. W

ave told me of my father and

ope

my dungeon's depths-and on the grimmy walls I traced the flowers and vines my sister reared. The night winds whistled through my casements, and I heard my sister's voice-her song so sweet and thrilling. If dreaming thus, I woke to sadness, my father's voice would speak to me, bidding me be firm and hope. At last the news reached me, even in my cell at Springfield, that Fremont was coming. My wounds were healed, and I resolved to escape. Oh! how I longed for freedom. And why? First, that I might once more clasp my father and my sister in my arms, and then join Fremont. I watched for opportunity, and soon it came. I escaped at night,

I will tell you all

y are not here! Each familiar article would only be a dart pier

efore the door, and dropping h

o

r fortitude to listen to the narr

William, without

s, assembled here to make arrangements for leaving on a stated day. We were seated around this very spot, unconscious of danger, conversing upon our present trials and future hopes. We numbered twenty souls, thirteen of whom were women and children. On a sudden a party of rebel ruffians dashed upon us from the surrounding woods. Escape was impossible, and but one of our party was armed. We sat quietly awaiting their approach

sponse from William. He

ns fall under the blows I gave, but this could not last. I was stricken down, but not until I had heard th

Alibamo!" so

exertion I had undergone. I remained quiet until daylight, with the exception of several times calling the names of my friends. But I received no answer. And

er dead?" as

seven men who were present when the fight began. My wife was bleeding at my feet. She was not dead-but only survived long enough to gently press my hand, and look her last farewell. She could not speak. I had but an indistinct

ster?" ask

st have been

much to live for!" cried Wi

s that seared my heart as I lifted the dying form of her I loved so truly, in my arms, and vainly begged her not to leave me yet, you would feel as I now feel. Could

id you pursue?

sguised myself, staining my skin with walnut

ave you acc

out of my plans. Price has employed me as a spy, and thus I have access through his lines. My plans are first, to find your father an

the rebel army this very night. I will go, and if my sist

ime Price will suppose I have just returned from

crawl from tent to tent, listen to all conversations, and perhaps in this manner

perate hazar

reso

ith you!" rep

te suspicion. You will conceal yourself before you reach the outer pickets. But I must find Fal

camp. The fires could be distinctly seen, and the shrill notes of the fife, and the rattle of the dr

an hour all will be quiet. But let us now search for Fall-lea

and in a moment were upon the opposite bank. Without further words, William led the way, and soon arriv

own, plainly showing that a great struggle has occurr

s been disturbed. Do you not remember there was a cave here? And its mouth or entrance is filled w

he habit of burying those whom they mu

and his death, if known, would make

ir friend,

he Rocky Mountains. His whole tribe is deeply attached to the general, and will do all in their power to assist him.

and earth which obstructed the

length the last obstacle was

eaf! Fa

was no

or not here!"

s cave been filled, and so recent

had nothing with which to strike

pass them out, and by the moonlig

s toward the entrance, a

he decomposition indicates. Lay them on the

nt's pause,

ind anyth

noth

come

as he did so, Johnson grasp

you be

d William. "But w

hink only o

e! What do

inting to one of the bodies whi

ed William, as he g

er! But, pray b

bbed William, as he sank

ecovering, Willi

fering endured from his wound, Fall-leaf had recovered sufficiently to speak. He ha

cted to observe this, or to not

gazed wildly around him. He pressed his hands to his temples, as if endeavoring to colle

hoped it was a dream-but it is a d

m! You

upon him wit

nson! But I am not. Hark

shook

here, beside my father's clay! That

oice, W

th and justice-swear by my wrongs, your wrongs, our country's wrongs-swear by your murdered w

ohnson, as he knel

eaf. He made an effort to get

cried William, start

hing!" answ

e. It echoes along the mountain, and I kno

o catch the distant sound, but it was so low and in

ur of the river, Wil

ust remove Fall-leaf to our cabin. His wound is painful, and needs attention. Bu

e mountain toward the camp of Price. Now and then he paused to listen, but all was

exclaimed. "No-no! there i

sed, listen

choes. But the words; they spoke of love-of willing captivity-of future

God! is my cup of bitterness not yet fu

forms. The one a female, pure and lovely as the moon's own rays; the other, a delicate you

equired in cam

e-but her

sacrifice your

ne I love so wildly. And you

cannot tell y

ter!" shrieked William,

ho comes

, William had darted from the spot. The sentinel fired upon him without effe

ld I wish to return. My sister loves a rebel. No! what is that? Why, he-her lover is waving the Stars and Stripes from y