"I have no time to talk with rebels," said the officer, shortly, and then calling to the turnkey, he directed him to place Webster in a cell.
Deeply resenting the treatment of the officer, but feeling that opposition would only aggravate his annoyance, Webster followed the man, internally vowing vengeance against the fellow who had instigated his arrest. He was anxious to express himself forcibly to the officer in charge, but he considered that he would probably do the same thing under the same circ.u.mstances. The Lieutenant believed him to be a rebel, and as such his treatment was harsh and impolite, and after debating the matter in his mind he came to the conclusion that he was not much to blame after all. He was desirous, however, of communicating with some one who could intercede for him, and by that means secure his release, and he resolved to make friends with his jailer as the best possible way of obtaining what he wanted.
Shortly after he had been incarcerated, he heard the voices of Sam Sloan and John Earl, who had been informed of his arrest and had come to see him. Their request was denied, however, and they expressed themselves in very loud tones against the injustice they were compelled to submit to.
All to no avail, however, and they reluctantly took their leave. The turnkey coming along the corridor at this time, Webster called to him, and requested his attention for a few moments. The man was about sixty years of age, and had a very benignant countenance, which Webster argued was a good omen for the work of propitiation which he had in hand.
"Will you tell the Lieutenant that I would like to speak with him,"
asked Webster.
"It"s no use," said the old man, with a shake of the head; "the Lieutenant says he won"t have anything to say to you, until your case is reported to headquarters this evening."
"Well, then," smiled Webster, "I suppose I will have to wait his pleasure; but can"t a fellow get a little whisky and cigar? I"ll make it worth your while if you can help me in that particular."
The old man laughed, and said he would see what could be done, as Webster slipped a bill into his hand. He disappeared, and after about a half hour, he returned and slipped a small bundle through the grated door, admonishing Webster to be careful about exposing himself to the other prisoners within view.
"All right," said Webster, "you keep the change, old man, for your trouble."
In the afternoon another officer, accompanied by four men, came to his cell, and requested his appearance at the office. Here he was carefully searched, and upon his person were found some letters addressed to himself; a pa.s.s from Col. Cramp, and about seventy dollars in money.
They were about to take these from him, when Webster inquired:
"Who was the man who arrested me this morning?"
"His name is McPhail, and he belongs to the secret service," was the reply.
At the mention of the name, Webster started in surprise. He had heard of him as connected with my force, and knew that everything would soon be all right.
"Well," said Webster, "will you be kind enough to send for Mr. McPhail, and ask him to telegraph to Major Allen, and inquire if Tim is all right?"
"What Major Allen is that?" asked the officer.
"Of the secret service," replied Webster. "McPhail will know all about him; and you will learn that I am no rebel, in a very short time."
"We will do what you request," said the officer, "and if you are all right, we will be glad to find it out."
Thanking the officer for his kindness, Webster was conducted back to his cell to await developments.
About ten o"clock that night, the officer again made his appearance.
"John Hart, come here."
Webster presented himself before the iron grating of his cell.
"Is your name John Hart?"
"No, sir, my name is Timothy Webster."
"Well, my orders are for a man named Hart, who is to be taken to Fort McHenry."
[Ill.u.s.tration: "_Webster leaped from the wagon while it was in motion._"
P. 339.]
Something in the tone of the man"s voice, and in the twinkle of his eye, told Webster that everything was understood, so he answered at once:
"Very well, I am the man!"
"Come with me, then."
They conducted him to the street, where he saw a covered wagon in waiting. They all got in and then in a loud voice the officer gave the order:
"Drive direct to Fort McHenry pier!"
After they had started, the officer explained to Webster that it had been arranged, in order to prevent suspicion, that he should be allowed to jump from the wagon as it was driven along, and after a pretended pursuit, he would make his escape to his rebel friends with whom he should remain quietly for a few days, and then return to Washington and report to me.
These directions he implicitly followed; and seizing a favorable opportunity, he leaped from the wagon and rapidly made his way in the direction of the city. Going directly to Sam Sloan"s, he knocked loudly at the door. After a few minutes a window was raised and a voice inquired angrily:
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
"It is I--Webster--Sam, come down and open the door."
The window was shut, with an oath of joyful surprise, and in a twinkling, the door was opened, and Sloan pulled Webster into the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
"Great G--d, Webster, how did you manage to get away from the Yanks?"
"Let me get warm, and I"ll tell you," replied Webster, with a laugh.
"Come up stairs," said Sloan heartily, "and we"ll have something to drink."
After refreshing themselves, Webster related the manner of his escape, carefully concealing the action of the officer, and the fact that he had been peaceably permitted to leave the vehicle--and when he had concluded, Sloan"s admiration was unbounded. Promising to secrete him until he could safely get away, they all went to bed, and slept soundly.
Early the next morning Sloan left the house, and after an absence of an hour or two returned, bringing with him several of Webster"s trusty friends, among whom was John Earl, who was decidedly crestfallen at the thought of having been instrumental in leading Webster into such danger by introducing the strange man to him, without learning more about his character for loyalty to the cause. They were all overjoyed at his escape, and spent the afternoon in a jollification over his safe return.
The newspapers contained full particulars of the affair, and when they were brought before him Webster could not restrain his laughter at their contents, as he read:
"ESCAPE OF A STATE PRISONER.[A]
"It was rumored yesterday that the man Webster, who was arrested, stopping at the hotel of Messrs. McGee, upon the charge of being concerned in the regular transportation of letters between Baltimore and the seceded States, had succeeded in making his escape. It is learned upon the best authority that during a late hour of the night he was removed from the western police station and placed in a carriage under the charge of a special detective officer.
The wagon was driven towards Fort McHenry, he having been previously ordered to that post, but while the vehicle was in motion, and when within a short distance of their destination, he gave a sudden bound from his seat, and before the officer could seize him, he was beyond his grasp.
It is not known which direction he took, but he will scarcely be able to escape from the city. He is a citizen of Kentucky, but left there in the early part of April, and since that time has been residing in Baltimore."
In another paper he read:
[B]"We have learned from an entirely reliable source that Mr. Webster was arrested in endeavoring to procure replies to a number of letters which he had delivered from Marylanders now residing in Virginia to friends at home. A fact which, in view of the hazards of such an attempt, should content the unfortunate exiles from Maryland with the gratification of communication with their friends there and without the reciprocal joy of hearing from the latter in return. We have reason to believe that Webster is beyond the reach of the Yankees."
Remaining with his friends until after midnight on the second day, he made his way to the train, and at 4.30 in the morning started for Washington, where he arrived about seven o"clock, and reported at my headquarters.
It may seem strange that Webster was arrested by one of my men, and that my intervention was necessary to effect his release, but a few words will serve as an explanation. McPhail, the operative who had caused Webster"s arrest, had never seen that gentleman, and was entirely ignorant of his true character. Under such circ.u.mstances he very naturally was led to suspect him as a rebel spy, and to lay the trap for his capture. The delicate and important duties which had been a.s.signed to Webster were such, that I deemed it advisable to inform but very few of my men of his immediate connection with me, hence the arrest, as far as McPhail was concerned, was a _bona fide_ revelation of what he believed to be a dangerous crime. As it was, the arrest did no harm, but rather enabled Webster to cement more closely the bonds of friendship which existed between himself and those with whom he had previously a.s.sociated.
FOOTNOTES: