iBSUedMonthly by the Diki: T.odk ('i>mi>any, 37 Vandewatcr street. Sul)scrii>tion Prict;, GOcts. poryear. Entered at tlie New York Post Office as second-clans matter,. December, 1896.- YoL lY.-Mo, 2. New York, January 1, 1897, Price 5 Cents^ LIEUTENANT GEORGE TRELLEN; OR, A TRICKY UNION BOY. By OEOH-aE B. W^ILSON, WHIRLING HIS SWORO OVER HIS HEAD GEORGE SHOUTED A FEW WORDS TO HIS MEN AND FORWARD THEY WENT ALt DETERMINING TO BREAK THROUGH. THR OPPOSmG LINES. LIEUTENANT GEORGE. LIEUTENANT GEORGE; — OR, — THA^CBLEO TO HIS XuA^lTt. BY GEORGE WILSON. CHAPTER I. THE IflGHT ATTACK. " I say, George, you were out to-day. Did you see anything?"' "Yes, I saw something," replied a first lieutenant, w!io was stretched on the ground beside a camp-fire. "One can't help seeing something wherever he goes " " None o' your fooling, now," cried the other. "You know what I mean. Did you see any rebs?" " Well, yes, I saw a few." "Where?" " South-east." "What were they up to?" "Ask the colonel?" "Yes, that's the way," grumbled his questioner. " I leave it to you," he went on, turning to the others, " tiiat I haven't got a square answer out of this honorable first lieutenant to-night. His new honor must be too much for him." Roused by this rfmark, the first lieu- tenant sat up and said: " You know well enough, Sam, that the colonel won't allow scoutijig ma.ttcrs to be talked about at the camp-fire, or to the troopers anywhere. So you might as well give up asking me questions on that subject." "All right," replied Sam, pleased at having provoked the lieutenant to reply to his inuendo. "I suppose you'll want us to call you Lieutenant Treilen instead of plain George Treilen that you used to be?" " You can suit your own convenience about thkt," replied George, indiffer- ently, and pulling a handsome silver- mounted revolver from his poeliet he busied himself in carefully cleaning and polishing it. By the time this was finished, an or- derly approached the group and saluting said: "Lieutenant Treilen, the colonel wishes you to report to him without delay." "Tell the colonel I wijl be at his tent in five minutes," replied the lieutenant, rising. A moment after the orderly had taken his leave, George Treilen had bidden ins companions good-niglit, and was walking rapidly toward a small clump of trees in wiiich he had tied his horse. Calling the animal, which answered the summons like a dog, heti^itened the bridle whicii had been tiirown back over its neck, and vaulting into the saddle he rode rapidly to the headquarters of the colonel, whicli were about a miledistant. Tiie colonel's small body of troops was a detachment of Burnside's army, whicti was then at Knoxville. The Confederate general, Longstreet, had begun liis advance against Burnside, and consequently it was necessary for the latter to maintain the greatest vigi- lance in order that he might keep posted as to his enemy's plans ami whereabouts. For this purpose, Colonel Kiddins was one of the numerous officers detailed for si)ecial duty, and placed at the head of a body of about one hundred men, and or- dered to proceed in the direction from whicii Longstreet was expected to make his appearance. George Treilen, the first lieutenant whom we noticed at the bivouac fire, was one of the colonel's picked rnen, being one of a choice few brought along to ser^e as an advance guard and special scout. When the war broke out, George Avas but seventeen years old, and conse- quently was unable to gain tlie consent oi his- relatives to follow the bent of his own inclinations. However, as reverse after reverse met his country, he became more and more inliamed wiih the desire to share its toils and troubleti, and his friends, realizing that his constant fretting might even- tually destroy his health, finally with- drew all opposition. Three v/eeks afterward he was in the battle of Murfreesboro, where he behaved with sach gallantry in saving the regi- mentaJ flag that he was "made a non- commiisioned officer on the spot, and from that time he rose rapitlly, until we find him, hardly a y^ear later, a confi- dential~scout, holding ajirst lieutenant's commission. His reputation as a scout had been made by the detection of the double- dealing of one of the pickets of a small guaitl ab')ut three mouths before. Every \ ttle while the camji would be surprised, and the riisult was «, number of meti kiK'<"d or wounded, or valuable stores eithe*^ carried off or destroyed. The picke'^-round was very extensive, and the attacVs were not always made at tlse same spot consequently the colonel ^i was loth to sutviect any of the guards of s| treachery. "i An accidental •^'rcimstance aroused the suspiciorts of GeCgf* Trpl'eu in the fol- ic wing manner: Tlie fire before h'?r 'rc^^ H^v turned low m LIEUTENANT GEORGE. 8 ere night, and he behig unable to sleep was about To riise uiut bit closer to it, wlieu iu! reeoliected that it could not lack but an liour oi^two of tln;}'li;;ht. He was about to lie down ajrain and make a last attempt to sleep wlien lie noticed tiie sentry who, at that monsent passed about lifry feet from him, stop in ins walk and- looiv toward a worm-fence that enclosed a field of younji* }>rain. Oeorge raiseil himself on his elbow, but CQ^dil see or hear nothintf, rhoufij LIEUTENANT GEORGE. ginning to show a little interest. He rose and went to the door of the tent to assure himself that no one was in hear- ing distance. •' I saw what I thought were very queer actions on the part of one of the sentries, and it struck uie that it might have some connection with our being attaclved by little parties of the enemy so often." "Ah! is that so?" ejaculated the col- onel. "If you can unravel that business you will do what none of us can. Tell me at once what you know." Hereupon, George related briefly but fully what had taken place the previous night, and said in conclusion that he did not know but that he had been too hasty in consulting with the head of the troop in regard to what might turn out a very small matter, but lie had always felt that from Sandy's manner he seemed to hate his comrades. Still that might be only an evidence of his sour disposition. The colonel remained silent some sec- onds after George ceased speakting, then he broke out witii "H this is true he's a oloody scoundrel. He's asked meanum- ber of times for a furlough of only a few hours to go and visit his sister, who lives some twenty miles from here, he says, and if he's disloyal it is the easiest thing in the world for him to give all our se- crets to the enemy, the scoundrel." George waited respectfully till the wrath of the colonel had somewhat sub- sided, then he said: "I missed him several times, but did not know that he went any distance from camp. Don't you think it would be well to follow him on one of his expeditions and see where he goes to aiid what he does?" " It wouldn't take much to send him to the halter," muttered the colonel, after some minutes thought. " Humph!" thought George to himself. " He must know something that I don't, for he wouldn't condemn thejuan on what I told him." "Your idea is a good one," said the celonel, again breaking the silence, "and when he comes for another furlough I'll give it to him as I have always done hitherto. Now as to following him, I suppose you don't want to get yourself mixed up in a hand-to-hand figlit with guerrillas or regulars, and I can send a regular scout to dog him." "If you please, sir," replied George, quickly, "I'll follow him myself — with your permission. It won't do me any harm to learn scouting." "But you have never been out before, and I am afraid you would lose him, and I wouldn't have "that happen for a grrat deal," said the colonel, doubtfully. " I don't think I'll lose him, sir," re- plied George; " besides, if I do, he'll come back as he has alwaj'S done before." "Well, well," said the colonel, good- naturedly, " you young heads are always hopeful; besides, there is no doubt but that you have the best claim to the place, if you want it." Picking up his camp-stool again, he dashed off a few lines, and handing it to George said: " This will leave you in or out of tlie lines whenever there is any necessity for going and coming. See that you do not abuse the privilege." As George was withdrawing the colonel called after him: " Hold yourself in readiness to report to me the moment I send tor you. Sandy may come for his furlough any time." The youn;i soldier went directly to his i^'Jfirters and busied himself in fastening the passport in his coat in such a manner that it would be perfectly secure and yet easy to produce when the occasion pre- .sented itself. During the next few days nothing of any note happened, and George, while seemingly intent on keeping his arms clean, and exact in the performance of other camp duties, kept Sandy under his eye almost the whole day. Of course, alt night he had not so good an opportunity, except when his turn to act as guai'd ar- riveil. On the fifth day after his talk with the colonel, George, while talking to a group of friends about three o'clock in the after- noon, saw Sandy moving toward head- quarters. Judging that the time for action had arrived, he quickly separated himself from his companions, and prepared hiia- self, as well as he knew how, for the ex- pedition upon which he believed he "was about to engage. Two revolvers and ammunition and rations for one daj^ were as much as he thought worth while to take. He was not given any time to think of the matter, for the colonel's orderly came- in, requesting him to repair instantly to- head quarters. He lost no time in complyiiig, and the colonel fairly seized him in his haste. " You're all ready? That's good. He went down Harrison Lane. He's on- horseback. You must have a horse. Ho! orderly, bring up one of the best horses: saddled and bridled. Quick now." It was all George could do to under- stand the colonel's directions, he talked so rapidly, and he was glad when he or- dered him to leave. The only piece of information he re<- tained, and indeed the only bit the eoL LIEUTENANT GEORGE. onel in all his talk had given him, was tlie roatl that Sandy took as he rode off. Wliether lie ke[>t on in that direction was wliat George was anxious to tind out. The horse provided tor liini was a fairly good animal, the oidy objection to it being its lack of speed. Thus equipped, lie started down the lane, Sandy being ah'eady hid from view by a curve about a quarter of a mile ahead. Upon reaching this curve George Kprung to the ground in order to obtain a view of the road ahead without being seen himself. He so much distrusted Sandy that he would not have been sur- prised to see him watching the road on the lookout for pursuers. His fears were groundless on this score, as he seiw Sandy riding-along a little less than a quarter of a mile ahead. Turning the horse's head to one side he rode into the trees which thickly lined one side of the lane, and urged him for- ward in hopes of approaching nearer to the object of his pursuit unobserved. He continued in this manner until he eaw Sandy disappear around the bend in the road, and then bringing his horse out where he had free use of his limbs urged him forward at the top of his speed until he reached the bend. Springing off as before he looked down the road, expecting by his swift pace to have made considerable gain, and he was fjreatly surprised to find that Sandy had tiisappeared. The road run along until in the distance it became as a thread, but nothing living was to be seen on the whole length hi the range of George's vision. Going quickly back to the spot where he had left his horse, he led the animal far enough into the bushes so as to escape the eyes of any passers-by, then keeping himself as much concealed as possible he commenced a rapid search for the place where Sandy had left the road. After going down one side carefully, as near as he could judge, about an eighth of ft mile, he crossed the road and begun examining the other side. He had not proceeded far when he dis- covered a track that seemed almost like a bridle-path. Marking the spot he went on more rapidly, for it had entered his mind that possibly there was another such path and he might be compelled to go over both some distance before he found out which one Sandy took. Wlien he arrived at the bend, after more tlian half an hour's delaj', he brought liis horse out of the bushes, and giving him a few smart cuts with aswitcli he proceeded directly to the path, where jie found to his chagrin that the limbs of the trees hung so low that he would not be able to go faster than a walk. By this time the sun had gotten low ia the west, and there was every prospect of his having to pass the night in the woods unless he came quickly to the end of his journey. While occupied with these reflections he reached a place where the path was crossed by two others. Uncertain which to take he dropped to the ground. This time his scrutiny was more .•satisfactory. In the path that run at right ang'ies with the one on which he was, he could discern the hoof-prints of a horse in the soft earth. Elated by this discovery, he pushed on, endeavoring to keep the spot fixed in his memory so that he could tell wliich way to go in case it was necessary for him to return by the same route. He noticed as he passed on that the trees and bushes grew thickiT and closer, and the track turiaed so frfcpniitly out and in to avoid the denser parts, that he soon lost all reckoning of the points of the compass. "Humph," he muttered to himself. "If Sandy's sister has a taim, I don't see that tliere is a chaiice for her to raise much of anything in this wilderness." It was already twilight, and he was thinking seriously of riding into the trees on either side of the track, and after tying, the horse proceed on foot. If Sandy's story about his sister was true, he had yet about twelve miles to go be- fore he reached her liouse. He calcu- lated that he was about seven miles from Harrison Lane, and during all those seven miles he had never once caught a glimpse of Sandy McCosh. He was almost posi- tive, however, that lie w-as on the right trail, as he had been able every now and then, while it was still light," to detect the prints of a horse's hoofs in the soft ground. He had noticed also at a num- ber of places there seemed to be mors foot-prints than could be made by one horse, though without considering tlie matter he supposed they were those made by Sandy's horse on "former trips. His thoughts "were checked on these subjects by seeing directly in front a light glimmering through the trees. " There!" he said to himself, "I guess I've struck sometliing at last." He lost no time in putting his horse in a safe place, fearing to take liim any nearer lest he might neigh to the horses if there beany in the locality. Putting one of his revolvers where he could make use of it upon the instant, he stepped rapidly and noiselessly for- ward toward the light. Wlien within twenty feet of it he came 6 LIEUTENANT GEORGE. 1 to the edge of the forest. Before him was a small clearing, and in the midst of it a small siructare that looked like any- thing but a farm-house. It was a frame building, built of rough boards, two stories higli, and on the whole was about twenty feet square. On three sides were sheds, which an- swered for stables for horses, of whicii there seemed to be a large number for such an isolated place. One rude window was all that George could see that the buiUlintr contained, and from it streamed the light which led liim to the spot. Getting close to the window, George endeavored to see what was going on in- side, and he was considerably astonished at the scene that met his gaze. In the middle of the room stood Sandy talking in a most vehement manner, re- inforcing his arguments with all kinds of gestures. Several men were standing listening to him, others were seated on benches, and fetill others were lying asleep oa the floor wrapped in blankets. Tiieir gray uniforms left no doubt in George's mind as to the character and sympathies of these men, and he was highly enraged when he thought of the perfidy of Sandy McCosh. "They are the very men that attacked us the other night. I'm sure 1 noticed that big fellow ride through onr camp," he said to himself, in exeiten»ent. Turning about he struck into the Avoods again. It was between nine and ten o'clock that night when the cry of " Halt! who goes there?'' rung out in the camp of the colonel's detachment. A minute later, George Trellen handed his nearly exhausted horse over to an or- df^rly ami went at once to the colonel, who was eagerly awaiting his report. Ten minutes later both came out of the tent, and the captain ordered every cavalryman into the saddle, together with fifty infantry. The orderly received these orders with great surprise, but he delivered them promptly. When the force appeared there were but litteen horgjes, counting every officer's horse but that which George brought in. The order was given to move, and George, who rode besitle the colonel, after telling him of ihe certainty of capturing the whole band in their retreat, went on to relate the facts of his pursuit of Sand j'. All turned out as he predicted, the whole band surrendered without a shot being fired, and Sandy suffered the fate of a deserter. , CHAPTER III. A THRILLING ADVENTURE. While we were relating the adventur*! through which George Trellen became a scout, he was proceeding rapidly toward the headquarters of the colonel, endeav- oring, meanwhile, to conjecture on what mission he was to be eent. He did not doubt it was some excursion into the rebel lines, notv;iths.itanding the fact that he had been going back and forth between the armies almost con- tinuously in the two weeks just past. It was probably ten njinutes after he parted from his companions around the fire when he drew rein at the colonel's headquarters and was immediately ad- mitted. Two per-sons only occupied the tent, the colonel and a man whom George had no recollection of having ever before seen. He was a short, thick set, uniformed figure, about five feet six inches in height, with a perfectly smooth face, except a moustache long enough to curl over his ears. He looked sharply at George, as if he would have learned the cau.-;e of his visit to headquarters by looking him through and through. He made no move to leave the room when George came in, but re- mained still as a statue in every part of his body but his eyes, which roved about constantly, as if suspicious of his sur- roundings, or on the lookout for some- thing. "Lieutenant, I have some work which will Jieep you busy for awhile," began the colonel, when George entered. "I'm go- ing to set you to catch a fellow that is giving Burnside a deal of trouble," he teuton, as George bowed. "It seeihs this fellow is a most notorious scout and Oh, he's all right, he knows all about it," he continued, as he noticed George east his eyes from one to the other in astonishment. Tiie colonel then proceeded to give him some facts in re^rard to the scout. The fellow had been seen close by that afternoon, having just come from Knox- ville, and supposed to have about his person information of considerable value, in regard to the fortifications, for the Confederate general. It is well- known liow the armies of the Nortii suffered by liaving tlieir plans be- trayed, by at'roit and skillful scouts, into the hands of the enemy. The capital was crowded with Southern emissaries from the day Wiir was declared to the day peace was proclaimed, and it was so wherever there was an a?"my. Knoxville was as full of them, compare LIEUTENANT GEORGE. atively, as the capital, only they were of vastly more desperate character. The scout upon whose track George was about to be sent, was known to fre- quent Knoxville, but his wonderful abil- ity had stood hiui in such good stead th»t, thoujjii he had been seen and chased dozens of times by tiie specials of Gen- eral Bu<,"nside, he iiad never yet been caught. It was further stated that he appeared hi so many different cliaracters and in so itiany different disguises that it was no uncommon thing tor him to talk witli his fmrsuers and give them advice as to their search, while they never dreamed but that he was one of the officers or privates of the army. One time he \vould appear clad in a h\ue uniform, again ride boldly to the city attired in a Confederate uniform, give out that he was a deserter, and pre- tend to disclose valuable information as to the whereabouts and numbers of the Confederates. This turning out false, and he being sought for to undergo punishment, it was always learned that he liad strangely and unaccouutably dis- appeared. According to report, he had the faculty of appearing ao an old or as a young man; sometimes with the wliite hair of age, at others with brown or red. He had been seen only two days apart with a smooth face and with ehin and ]Tps covered with a thick, bushy beard. Strange to say, those who described him never seemt-d to recognize him wlien face to face u'itli him. It was only after- ward that it seemed to dawn on them. So much for the man that George was ordered to bring alive or dead to his superior. "It is said he was seen about here," said the colonel, after giving all tiie in- formation he knew about tlie scout, " but youjliad better start in at Knoxville. Some of those old cane-brake stalicers and bush-whackers can tell j^ou some things tliat will surprise us all if you can make tlsem talk." When George left the tent he took a good look at the stranger, who had turned around so that nothing but his back could be seen. "It's my private opinion that the colonel's very imprudent to talk business before a strangar, as he did to-night," muttered George, as he hurrieii away to prepare himself for his trip. "Even if that man v^^as his brotiier he had no right to tell Iiim wliat 1 had to do. If he wanted to he nright, for all 1 know, set the scout on his guard, and then I'd never catch him." Thus, grumbling to himself, George went quickly to his quarters and stripped off his uniform, replacing it with an old brown suit and a slouch hat that pulled down over his forehead. Arming himself as usual with two re^ volvers, he flung himself into the saddle and rode off toward Kno.wille. A half hour's ride brought him to the advance lines of Burnsides army, and from there till he reached the city he was kept busy giving pass-words and going through the forms of army routine. Upon reaching the city he informed the V)roper officer of theorder he had received from Colonel Kiddens, ajid that gentle- man said, shrugging his shoulders, "I don't think I would care to execute that order if I were you." "Why not?" asked George. " Because," replied the other, " the Confederate scout, besides being the most tricky rascal T ever saw, is a dead shot and many's the good fellow he's laid low when hard pressed in his in- fernal wanderings." "The trouble seems to me to find him,"' replied George. " He's welcome enough to try his skill on me if he only comes n^-ir enough." "Don't trouble yourself about that," said the other, with a laugh. "You'll find, like many others, that it will be like the fellow who went out to hunt the bear but hadn't gone far when he "found the bear was hunting him." "Well, that will be better than not seeing or finding out anything about him," replied George. " Give me a guar- antee that I'll not be disturbed and I'll see what I can do." A slip signed by General Burnside was filled up and handed him, conferring upon him the privilege of going through the lines at ail times without molestation. Placing this in a safe pocket of h's old torn coat he rode into the city, looking as villainous as any one in the whole city. Before he had proceeded any distance he bethought iiim of his horse; he could not take the animal with him to all the taverns and ilens which he expected it would be necessary for him to go through, and yet he wished to have him at hand so as to be able to make use of him at a moment's notice. He did not thiidi it possible to strike the track of the scout that night unless he was very fortunate, and he had re- ceived orders from tne colonel to report to him the next liight not later than nine o'clock. He resolved,''fherefore, to put the ani- mal where he would be reasonably safe until he hatl occasion t-o u.se him. About fifteen minutes later he found a 8 LIEUTENANT GEORGE. place, and after tyinj? the horse carefully he stepped out into tlie street and walketl up to a liard-visaged man, who wasstaiid- in-; iialf a block away, and .-isked: " Can you tell aie where Ball's tavern is?" "Got any money?" asked the man, payiuj^ no attention to the question. "No; why?" said George, in surprise. ""Cause ye can't buy me notliin' to drink "tliout money, an' I don't tell things for notliin'," and tiie fellow walked off. Geortfe quickly recovered himself, and springing: after the man he caught him by the neck, at the same time thrusting his revolver into his face and saying: " 1 asked you a plain question, and I want an answer, or I'll arrest you." The fellow, unaccustomed to being tripped up so suddenly, looked up and sullenly demanded, " Take that shootin'- iron down." "Answer my question first," said George, sternly. " 1 don't know what it is," replied the fellow, in a surly tone. "Yes you do," said George, growing angry. " Remember I have it in my power to arrest >ou, and I can get you strung up as a spy to-morrow morning. Speak quick." " It's a good ways from here," was his reply. " All right," said George, without giv- ing him any more time to think. "You may just come along with me and show me where it is." After considerable oljjection on the part of the other, which George's threats effectually silenced, they started off in quest of the tavern. The colonel had told George, among other things, that the scout spent con- siderable time at a small house of bad reputation, called Ball's tavern, where, through others who made the place their home, he gathered not a little of the in- formation which so often led to results disastrous to the Union arms. It was George's plan to go through this place, and without putting himself for- ward in any way learn what he could by keeping his eyes and ears open. He trusted in his seedy appearance to ward off any specJal observation, or any questions wliich might be inconvenient for him to answer. His guide made no attempt to deceive him. but led him directly as |)ossible to a corner, whence he pointed to a small tri- angular piece of red glass, a little dis- tance up the street, across which was marked in white letters "Ball's." Without waiting to see whether his vanquisher noticed the sign, the desper- ado turned away and was soon lost to sight among the small ruinous buildings of that squijlid quarter. George did not waste time looking after him, but examining his weapons an