The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-21

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| Having thus commenced correspondence
no day passed in which open notes We're not
written and received. Some of these notes
were brought for inspection of persons ac-
quninted with the French language; but so
carefully were they worded, that no cause of
suspicion appeared, and the correspondence
was allowed to continue. A greater difficulty
however,nOw appeared, for the plan ofescape,
being at length arranged, they We're at n loss
how TO acquaint Lafayette with particulars
that could not be hazarded in an open uote.
A happy eXpedient presented itself; the
whole was written in lemon juice, and on
one side of the paper, note ofinquiry after
Lafayette's health concluded with these
words, "Quand Uous auai Iu &c billet METRE ie
auteu." The experiment was II hazardous
one, but it succeeded. The note was con-
veyed to Lafayette, and obeyiug the injunc-
tons given, unfolding the paper to the fire;
the writing that appeared made him acquin-
ted with the well digested schemes ofhis I'M
known benefactors.
The day following was that fixed for the
attempted escape, and the caution used by Nj.
Balman and his friend was in truth required,
10 hold out chance ofsuccess. The city of
Olmutz, about thirty miles from Silesia is
situated in the midst of plain extending
three miles on either side, and bounded by
any part of the level ground is distinctly Wis
lille from the walls. Seutinels, too, hold a
continual guard, for the purpose of giving
the alarm, should any attempt at escape be
made, and the whole people are bound to as
sist in the pursuit while the successful indi-
vidual is literally rewarded for the recapture
of prisoner. ........ ......... ... ....
These obstacles to their scheme were well
known TO the adventurous friends Of Laiay-
cite; but they were not intimidated, and the
hour ofeXercise allowed to the prisoner was
that selected for its completion.
In company of an officer, and attended by
an armed guard, mounted behind the car
riage, Lafayette was in the habit of daily dri-
wing in an open cabriolet on the plain, and
had so far won upon the confidence of the of
ficer, that when at distance from the walls,
they used to quit the carriage and walk to-
gether.
The plan determined upon was as follows:
Balman and Hugcr were to ride out on the
plain, the latter leading third horse, while
Lafayette was TO gain as great distance as
possible from the town, and as usual quitting
the carriage with the officer, draw impercep-
ltiby us near the boundaries as might be
without awakening his suspicion. The two
friends We're then TO approach, and if necessa-
ry, to overpower the Off Ger, mount Lafay-
cite on the led horse, and ride al full sreed to
Beautrapp, town at the distance of fifteen
miles, where chaise had heen prepared to
convey the party 20 The nearest town in the
Prussian dominons. In the morning, Huger
had attempted to ascertain the precise time at
which Lafayette would leave the castle, and
then, with beating hearts, they set forward
on their eXpedtion;but having almost reached
the wooded country, and still no carriage ap-
pearing, they believed some unforeseen acct
dent had led TO their discovery, and hesitated
how to proceed, till rccolleciing that their
movements were in all probability watched
from the walls, they slowly retraced their
steps, ard on nearing the town, beheld, TO
their great satisfaction, the wished for cabri-
olet pass through the gate. 1t contained two
persons. One was in the Austrian uniform,
and musketeer, as usual, was mounted be-
hind. Neither ofthe friends being personal
ly acquainted with NJ. de Lafayette, signal
had been agreed upon between them. In
passing it was made, returned, and the car
riage moved on. They continued for a time
their ride towards the town, and then slowly
following the cabriolet at such a distance as
to allow of Lafayette's executing his part Of
the agreement. Upon the two gentlemen
quitting the carriage, and continuing their ex-
ercse on foot,the friends gradually approach
ed, and perceiving M. de Lafayette and the
officer engaged in earnest conversation about
the sword of the latter, which Lafayette held
in his hand, they seized the favorable moment
& putting spurs to their horses, gallopcd for
ward. Their rapid approach alarmed the of
fcer: he attempted to draw Lafayette towards
the carriage; and finding that he resisted
struggled TO repossess himselfofhis sword
At this moment, Huger reached the spot
You are Free said he; mount this horse, and
fortune be our guide;' but the words were
scarcely uttered, when the sun, glanclng on
the naked blade of the sword, started the
horse he led: he reared and broke his bride,
and galloped across the plain. NJ Balman,in
the vain hope of overtaking the frightened
ANIMAL rode after him, while Huger gener-
ously insisted on Lafayette mounting his
horse, and making all speed to the place of
rendezvous. Lose no time he exclaimed;
the alarm is given; the peasants are assem-
bling; save yoursef' Lafayette obeyed, and
mounting Huger's he left him on foot, aud
soon out of sight. NJ. Balman,had meantime
pursued the fling animal but perceiving it
had taken the road to the town, he gave up
the chase as hopeless, and returning TO Huger
he sprang upon the saddle behind him, and
thew galloped offtogether. But the double
burden proved too much for the already
wearied horse. He stumbled and fell; and
M. Balman thrown TO some distance by the
shock, was injured, as with difficulty to be
raised from the ground. Once more the gall
liant Huger, with the same forgefuness of
self that had characterized him through the
whole undertaking, sacrificed the change of
his own safety TO secure that of his friend,
and, assisting Balnan to remount, he insist
ed that he should follow Lafayette, and leave
him to make his escape on foot; for MS he was
good r,inner, he said he could easily reach
the woody country, and then find a safe
place ofconcealment. His friend consented
with reluctance; but there was no time for
argument the whole occurrence had been