Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/203

Rh renewed the proposal which General Dodge had made to him originally. Looking into the empty coffin which was soon to receive his dead body, and at the noose swinging idly over his head, he hesitated a moment, then putting the cup of life from him, he mounted the scaffold with a firm step. The black cap was dropped over his face, the noose was adjusted, the trap was sprung, and an ideal soldier leaped from the scenes of blood and carnage to the bosom of his God, leaving an immortality of fame behind him.

It is nothing to the discredit of Sam Davis that he was a spy. Some of the most exemplary Christians in the world have acted in this capacity, and it never once occurred to them that they were violating the law of God or outraging a well-regulated public sentiment. One of the most distinguished captains of the world's history, Joshua, the son of Nun, was a spy, and narrowly escaped apprehension. He feared God and it was he who said: "Let others do as they may, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

It is a distinguished honor to be selected by the commander of an army for the secret service, and sent on the perilous mission of spy. Only men of known sagacity, cool, self-contained men, who are fruitful in personal resources, and confessedly men of high courage, are ever sent on errands so fraught with danger. Hence when one thus employed fails in his undertaking, and is called to pay the penalty of death for his sublime daring, it is cause for universal regret and sorrow. Major Andre" died, wept, honored and sung by his countrymen, and Americans have ever mentioned the name of that unfortunate soldier with tenderness and respect; while George III. conferred the honorable distinction of knighthood upon his family.

Sam Davis was one of that exceptional class to whom fear is a stranger. He would have stood in the pass of Thermopylae, and would not have been the sole survivor who fled to the city and reported the result of the unequal contest. Like Nathan Hale, a captain in the Colonial army during the Revolution of 1776, whose last words were: "My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country," Sam Davis felt it was a joy to die, rather than to live with blighted honor and a ruined conscience. I would leave this whole question of the permanent