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

ton's Method-Meeting the Rebels-He wi

hee black, thou

ou that goose l

its course along the river's bank. For fifteen or twenty miles the horsemen did not pause, and not a word was spoken. At last Captain Haywa

id Hayward, as he took his c

rapid Osage, entirely concealed by the thick gro

" remarked Hayward. "And now, gentlemen, we must lay our plans. I

can give us details we are not acqua

epeat some of the peculiar expressions of Mac, which, of course, Price will at once recognise, and that, together with my secesh uniform, will settle matters. I am to tell some story which will induce him to make a stand here, or to advance upon us at Warsaw; or, at least, to give us battle at Springfield. I shall tell Price that it is the advice of McIntosh to meet Fremont on the Osage, if possible, and say that the reason of this advice is, that Mac is in communication with one Marshall, an officer high in rank in the federal army, and that Marshall tells him the exact position of our forces. Of course our numbers are to be greatly underrated. The federals, I shall say, profess to h

officers from McIntosh's department, present,

le. Mac has not received

into our camp, and if any of them s

return to you by eleven o'clock, you

aw-tobacker skunks, and get you out," said Nettleton, w

u to remain with th

t you see I had to come and

ou been doin

lled the

asey's

, I

d you d

tried to speak his teeth rattled so that I thought it was a wagon coming over the mountain. Then he jumped on one of the horses and sez 'I'm g'wan back!' So I just tapped him on the head with the but of my gun, an

fellow frigh

aptain, except i

glances, and Hayward

expected Nettleton to act!" Th

es, and don't kill a

re enemies or cowards," replied

with my life," said Haywa

return by eleven o'clock, we should know you

d no such danger. But, Harry, you spoke of a beauty whom you love, and who is a

lsler; "but will you not give us the

d the adjutant, tur

ill not take you very long to speak of bright eyes, ruby lips, flowing

have seen Alibamo. You will love her, too. She is a being to

' estimation. But give us facts, Harry. She is a prisoner, and that interests me. Perhaps I c

e, and was about to spring forward, when I raised my finger to my lips, in token of silence. She understood me. She knew I was not a rebel but the soldiers supposing me, from my rough, homespun clothing, to be one of their own friends, did not notice me, or observe the sign of recognition and silence which passed between myself and the lady. I spoke to the soldiers: 'Hold on a moment,' I said, 'if I am not greatly

spoken, and understood me just as I

That I left the place where we first met was unavoidable. And because I left thus, you wish to revenge me! Well, you have your revenge. My father and my broth

unless she would promise to remain, and become one of us, I could do nothing for her. One of the guard said she could not meet me there alone, as Branch would not allow it, but she might be permitted to walk if she chose to do so, in the evening, accompanie

en communicate with Alibamo for me. Tell her to meet me at eleven o'clock at

l rescu

we do

ould do it! Why do

individu

s time to continue our journey. It will be

e tied, they saw the negro standing erect, and N

You see, I hit you on the head, and I thought you was killed. I didn't care much, no way, kase you're such a mean soldier, any way. But just behave yourself, and don't be a sneak any mor

ile was brabe like you. But, ye see, Massa Nettleton, when dis chile ge

it no more, or I mak

leton," calle

! want th

Will

and prepared to depart

had killed that gentleman of color. I

easily cracked. But, if you'll only just examine his skul

t has improved

s woolly top-piece, and if I have occasion to

fraid of?" asked Haywar

ton, massa," replied the negro, a

urt you v

cap'n. Golly, I thought th

fraid of the rebel

I'se goo

shall have trouble with this fello

would be the

alone. De rebels catch him, sure. And den,

n we arrive within a few miles of the camp, and you must remain with them. If you do so, yo

t massa cap'n tell him. But is ye gwan to leb

ety will be in keeping perfectly quie

ssa Nettl

yward, "give that

side of the negro, "look a here; if I hear you open your mouth again, I'll cram the muzzle of

b, Cap'n

re. Come, comrade

horse and dashed forward, f

ey were riding rapidly along, when Nettleton r

t you see them

toward the spot ind

you mean,

ps; dem's hooman beins. Dar, do

ady-there are about twenty of them. They see us, and are awaiti

e. When they had arrived within forty yar

oment. I will

ched them. He rode up ca

he leader, addr

ose, sir?" de

tion!" was t

uniform. But perhaps you prefer to examine these?" said Hayward,

reply, "unless you pa

we will commence with these at once. Forward, boys!" shouted Haywa

guards" was intended to impress them with the fact that he and his party were also of the rebel army. The ruse succeeded.

hink we are all cut from

t what I suppose

erate army, and have

laughing. "That is, if you will give a good account

ned in the laugh, as he saw

o as he approached, "don't-don't

ch Nettleton carried, came in violent contact with t

m ain't home guards. If they was, you'd catch

ppear to comprehend,

nd, boys?" a

find out what we can. I suppose we can get in, as we shall go separately, and if surpr

. These Yankees are very sharp,

y not go as far as Warsaw. Our principal object is, to get some keg

card from his poc

e west bank, near a large oak

d Hayward. "By the by, I am out of powder-so

here is

ond pistol, and then lookin

ver's side. Elsler, you have not ridden as far to-day as I have; won't you ride back and get it for me. You pr

lied Elsler, as he turned his

that I have important information to impart to General Pr

n absent some time not to

I just came up from McIntosh's command. But why would I be particu

caught a

ult?" asked Hayward, wi

s alread

red b

only shot, as Mercutio says, 'with a

tand you," replied Hayw

ldn't come near the gal. She struck him once with a dagger when he tried to kiss her, and nearly killed him. During the time he was sick he fell in love in real earnest with the gal, and now she do

a fascinating creatur

e has a tent

is her

they call h

Spanish be

name. But I believe she

beauty," said H

er look out f

ng gentleman who is, however. How is it, Harry, do

iba

ical-poetical. Will yo

aptain," replie

ood-by, captain. I hope y

and his friends riding leisurely forward,

t," said Nettleton, grinning a smile that r

r, captain. Perhaps you

, and that is here

captain rode into a thick cluste

ructed to watch them, and the others were to remain quiet until the return of Captain Hayward, provide