The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

aay: —_—-— — Le _ ing how importantit was we should doso; ‘ * ‘ —~ for many a long day. and I’m sure |’m not mistaken.” ‘Well, that certainly is strange,’’ said the Confederate. ‘“ I cannot understand it. We might as well give up the chase. We Lave been outwitted this time, sure. But I'll be even With them in the end. I ulways win in the end.”’ Mounting, he called out to his companions, who had now gathered around the old hol- low tree. ‘Buck to camp, boys. You needn't try to keep track of me, but meet me at the old place to-morrow night. We'll have business with the Yanks ina day or two, and we all wantmhandinthbe fun. You may run onto the }» rsons we have been looking for to- night. Remember that I will pay the man rouaily that shoots the fellow and brings me tuugirl. H:+putspurs to his horse as he finished apenking and disappeared in a moment, while his followers in a troop began beating about the forest in the hope of disc vering the couple upon whose heads 2 reward had been placed. Day was just breaking when Oglethorpe presented himself at the quarters of Colonel Fontneroy. He had determined to announce that his mission had succeeded. It was a bold game, since he in truth was ignorant of the whereabouts of the man whose life he had been sent to destroy. ‘* You have succeeded ?”’ asked the Confed- erate colonel, anxiously, as he grasped the hand of Oglethorpe. ‘When did Lever failto succeed? Trust metocarry out your plans, and I promise nothing shall stand in your way. Your en- emy is removed.”’ . ‘*Rorever ?”’ “* Forever !”’ Oglethorpe returued the searching gaze of Fontneroy withouta sign of flinching. He must not betray himselfnow. Thestake was too great. ‘You are areliable man, Oglethorpe. I value your worth more and more highly, the better [ become acquainted with you. You have dore mexgreat service, and I appreci- ateit. You van depend upon me to doall I can to gain a promotion for you. As forthe other matter—the affair with Molly Grame— you are pot in a hurry about that. The tims are too full of interest to our common cause, the cause of the South, for either of us to think very seriously of such matters now; when the time comes, however, I shall a a zealous friend in your behalf, I promise it.” The Confederate’s face at that moment wore an eusier look than had rested upon it 1t meant much to him to know that Arthur St. Clair would never again rise up before him, his eyes sinking down into his soul. All might yet go right love making. He resolved at least not to admit the de- cued repulse he had suffered at the hands of vaura. “Thank you, colouel. I don’t doubt you will see me through. That thought has helped me a great dealin the work of the past few days.”’ The colonel started. He did not like to hear any suggestion of the plot he had employed this man to exe- cute. ‘“Not so loud, Oglethorpe, please,’’ he said, casting «a scarcd glanee about the room. ‘You know this thing must never fall upon other ears than ours. It would mean death to usifit should. But youaretired now. I have other work for youto do. I will ex- plain, then you must go and rest.”’ * Ah! what's on foot now ?” ‘*Such a surprise for General Grant as he never before experienced. Our troops now lie up near Pittsburg. As yet we believe their presence is not dreamed of in the Union camp. I say we believe this; we want to know whether it is so or not. I eri you to find out. Will you undertake t 7’ ‘“You mean that you want me to go inside the Union lines and find out positively whether Graut suspects an attack.”’ + ese oe ‘Tt is a dangerous thing to do.’’ ‘*] know it, and I have for that reasou chosen you. If you can’t doit, I know not whom I can send.”’ ‘*When do you wish me to start ?”’ **As soon as possible. lu an hour—two hours, if notso soon. The attack must be made within twenty-four hours, if at all.” ‘**T'll go, colonei,’’ was Oglethorpe’s reply. eet a almost tired out, but Iam ready todo with him in his THE WAR LIBRARY. my best for you and the country I love. Have you any turther instructions?” * Only this—I want to know as accurately as possible the number of men now under Grant’s command. The exact geographical location of his camp and the points most vulnerable. Make full notes of all these tLings, and such else as you deem important. Brng them to me, and I pledge you my word as a soldier, you shall receive the rec- ognition you merit. This plan of attack is partly mine. I have no little influence with our commander-in-chief, and whatever I ask will be granted.”’ ‘Should these notes fall into the hands of the Unionists——”’ “But they must not! Destroy them first. But I have taken steps to guard against that. See here.”’ The colonel drew from a closet in the room a pair of high cavalry boots. Pressing a secret spring in the heal of one them, part of the leather flew back. The heel was hollow. ‘‘Conceal your papers here. They will be perfectly safe. Even in case you are dis- covered, there can be no possibility of this hollow heel being found.”’ “Tt is an ingenious device. I will risk wearing them,’ said Oglethorpe putting on the boots. ‘‘Be careful of yourself,’’ continued the Confederate officer, ‘‘and all will be well.” In half an hour Oglethorpe, disguised as a Union trooper, rode out of the Confederate camp and took his course toward the Ten- nessee, ‘‘Foutneroy asks me to do much,”’ he said, in an undertone, as he swung out upon the road, ‘‘but a day of reckoning comes by and by. Then this will be made right. He isin my power. I will let him know it if worst comes to worst.”’ Fontneroy, watching the departure of Oglethorpe muttered, as he stood by the open window: ‘Fool! I wonder if he thinks I would let him hold me in his power! He knows my secret, and would not hesitate to betray me ithe thought it for hisinterest to doso. I, would be untrue to myself did I not take steps to protect myself. Look well to your- self, Oliver Oglethorpe. You know too much.”’ : There wasa smile of fiendish glee on the face of Fontneroy as he seated himself ata table and rapidly wrote. These were his words: ‘* GENERAL:—Young Oglethorpe has done what I pre- dicted that he had in mind some time ago. I have watched him closely and have only this moment reach- ed the point where I can safely speak. He has espoused the Union cause. I have positive knowl- edge that for some time he has been gathering up such points regarding our intensions us he thought would be most useful to the Unionists. Not a quarter of an hour ago he left ourcamp, in the uniform of a Northern soldier. The information he bears is con- cealed in the heel of his left boot. The right oneis empty; the left one isnot. Enough has been said by me to decide you to secure his arrest at once as a traitor and spy. Such acourse would be the only safe one under the present circumstances. Yours, respect- fully, FONTNEROY,”’ Concluding this letter, the colonel sum- moned a trusted messenger and dispatched it in haste to General Beauregard. Left alone once more the Confederate seized his hat and hurried away. There was a look of shrewd villainy upon his countenance. He was playing a deep game. Less than an hour a squad of men filed on horseback out upon the highway and took the same way Oglethorpe had taken a short time previous. Their leader had instructious to pursue, overtake and arrest him as a traitor-spy. CHAPTER XVII. ON THE WRONG ROAD. Meantime, Oliver Oglethorpe was riding furiously toward the camp ot General Grant. While be had really at heart nothing but his own inte: ests, he was deceived enough to think that his success in this new undertak- ing would materially enhance his prospects for military advancement as well as for raining the heart and hand of pretty Molly Grame, and he nerved himself for the task before him right valliantly. Galloping along the highway a thought suddenly occurred to him. A Union general was approaching with re- enforcements for Grant. The presence of the troops under him sight have great weight upon the result of the impending combat. Could he not in some way manage to delay the arrival of this general, and still do the work assigned him ? The idea took firm possession of the young 17 ——_— man’s mind, and at the next turn in the road he branched off and pressed at the highest possible rate of speed in the direction from which tbe Unionists were advancing. It was noon when he came in sight of the Union forces. As yet, no definite plan had presented it- self by which he could accomplish his de- sign. Several schemes had run through his mind. None had been adopted. He had decided to let chance suggest the course he should pursue. Aud fortune favored him, as it has many an evil desiguer in the past. He found the Unionists halted at the meet- ing of two ways. Here was an opportunity. The Union general, and every mau under him wasa stranger in that section of the country. Seeing Oglethorpe in Union uniform, they naturally took him for a friend. ‘“*Can you tell us which of these roads leads to Pittsburg Landing?’ asked the general, his face Wearing an expression of anxiety. ‘*T judge you may be more familiar with this country than we are.”’ ‘‘Tam proud to beof service to you, sir,”’ was Oglethorpe's response. ‘* You are right in thinking I am no stranger in this locality. I can guide you straight to the quarters of General Grant, if you wish. The road tothe left hand leads out into the couatry; the other will bring you to Pittsburg Landing and Grant's camp.”’ The Union general thanked Oglethorpe with true gentlemanly courtesy. ‘‘Do you come recently from the Union lines ?”’ ‘‘This morning’s sun saw me there,’ was the reply. ‘You can tell me the situation, then?" ‘‘ General Grant is anxiously waiting your approach and that of General Buell. He then intends to push on to Corinth.” “ Ah! then we must be on again at once,’’ And the general immediately gave orders for the advance. Oglethorpe, chuckling at his success, watched the Union troops tillfairly upon the road he had pointed out to the general, then watching his opportunity, he slipped away toward Pittsburg Landing, leaving the Union troops to wander far out of their proper course. Who shall measure the effect of this action upon the great contest at Pittsburg Land- ing? Had these troops succeeded in reaching the spot where his superior officer lay wait- ing his approach at the time he would have done, had he not been misguided by Oliver Oglethorpe, the historian might have writ- ten a far different story of that struggle. But fate had already a punishment in store for the wily Confederate. The feet of the Union army had not car- ried them out of the reach of his ears when hesaw rapidly approaching from Corinth a troop of men whose dress told on which side they fought. Not suspecting danger, Oglethorpe rode to mect them. As soon as they had surrounded him the leader said: ‘*We arrest yon for a spy!” A look of disbelief, not unmingied with terror, swept over Oglethorpe’s features. ‘“Arrest me! <A spy!” he gasped. ‘That was our instruction.” ‘“‘But there must be some grave mistake. See here, Captain Drury, you know me well. Surely you will not jest with me about such a matter as this.” ‘‘What are you doing in that uniform ?” “Tumonmy way to carry outa piece of work intrusted to me by Colonel Fontne- roy.” ‘Would you mind letting me examine your hoots, Oglethorpe? I confess If have always thought you straight; but some one has led the general to believe that you are not; in fact, that you’ve turned traitor.” ‘‘Of course you may examine Mme as care- fully as you like,’’ said the surprised man, throwing himself from the saddle. ‘‘ You'll find I am allright. I’d like to know who the enemy is that has told the general such an infernal lieabout me! Nota man under the stars and bars has a truer heart than I have.’’ Shortly, Oglethorpe had his boots off and was waiting the result of the examination. ‘‘Captain Drury, Ican trust you with the secret of these boots. See here. This spring under the spur throws back the heel. It is hollow. Iam going to bring back from the Union side full particulars of the number of CORMIECLOOOLKS (a(ayl