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

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was conveyed back TO Olrnutz in triumph;
and while secretly consoling himself with the
idea that whatever might be his own fate, he
had rescued from tyranny and oppression
the man, who in his eye was one the first
character on earth, was consigned to one of
the dungeons oithe castle, as state prisoner.
Nj. dc Lafayette had meanwhile, followed
the directions given by his gallant deliverers,
and without any obstacle, had reached II
small town about ten miles off; but here the
rond dividing, he unfortunately took the
wrong turn, and suspecting he had mistaken
the way, inquired of u person whom he met
on the road to Beautrapp. The appearance
of Lafayette his foreign accent, the inquiries
he made and his horse covered with the foam
| led the man TO suspect the truth, and direct
! ing him TO narrow lane, which by n long
circuit, led back to the town he had Just left
he himself hurried there by shorter cut;and
| thus, When about TO regain, as he thoughi,tlie
road which would secure his retreat, Laiay
cite found himself surrounded by guard of
armed men, who, regardless of his protesta-
tons, conveyed him to the magistrate. His
collected MANNER the plausible answers 10
the interrogations put 10 him, and the appn-
rent truth ofhis story--that belonging 10 the
excise at Irappau, he visited some friends at
Olmutz, and having exceeded his leave of
absence, was hurrying back under the fear of
losing his otfice-all so won upon the magis-
trate, that he was about to dismiss his prison.
er, when the good fortune Of Lafayette again
forsook him. As he was about TO retire,
Young man entered the room to have some
papers signed, aud after fixing his eyes for
moment on Lafayette, he whispered to the
magistrate, that having been present when
the French general was delivered prisoner TO
the Austrans, lie could not be mistaken, and
I al. l. I.sn
Lafayette intreated TO be heard;but in vain.
The indignant magistrate directed that he
forthwith should be carried to Olmutz, where
his identity would be ascertained; and dis
beartened and hopeless, the unfortunate pris-
oner was thrust again into those miserable
dungeons which but that morning he had
left with so fair prospect of liberty. Nj.
Balman, the first instigator of the whole
lscheme, was now the only one who had sue
cessfully avoided the search of his pursuers.
He reached in safety the place where the
chaise had been ordered TO wait their coming
and finding it still there, yet no appearance
of Lafayette, he foreboded evil. For some
time he fingered, in the hope of their coming,
and then dismissng the chaise, trusted that
his friends having made their escape by a
different route might still meet, as had been
agreed upon, on the frontiers of Prussa.-
Three days from that time rumor reached
him that Lafayette had been retakeD, and ca
ger to learn the truth, he took the road to
Olmuiz He was not long loft in suspense;
the whole story ofthe attempted escape and
the recapture of the prisoner, was well
known; and in addition to this he learned the
fact of his generous and disnterested friend,
the young and gallant HuSer, having shdreu
the same fate.
This last seems to have been too much for
the sensitive mind of NJ. Balman,an in des-
pair NJ having been the primary cause Of mis-
fortune TO the young American, he resolved,
since he could not rescue his friend from cap
tivity, to share it with him, voluntarily sur
rendering himself, he was committed pris-
oner to the castle. Such was the unfortunate
issue of plan which, for sSilltul projection
and generous self-devotion, merited happy
close. But even now,the friends little appre-
hended what was too follow Being direct
ed to prepare for examination, they believed
that, having told their story, and declared the
real motives of their attempt, they might be
perhaps subjected to short imprisonment,
but not more; and great therefore was their
anaZement on finding themselves accused
of having entered into conspiracy against
the Austrian government, and that they
were consequently to stand trial for life or
death. ....
Huger was first placed at the bar. As he
was unacquainted with the Austrian language
the examination was carried on by means of
an interpreter young man who, by his
looks and voice, seemed to compassionate
the situation ofthe prisoner, and who, when
repeating his answers to the court, omitted
such expressions as he thought might tend to
his disadvantage. Huger quickly caught at
the good intentions ofhis new friend, and re-
solving to rely on hisjudgment, he took TIE
kindly hints as they were intended. One eX-
animation followed another; and the repeated
IeXhortation ofthe magistrate to prepare for
the worst, for there was little likelihood of
pardon being obtained, forced upon the UNI
fortunate Iluger the unwelcome conviction
that he had laid down his own life for the VS.
lonary effort of rescuing stranger from M
prisonment. The severity oihis treatment also
exceeded that even of Lafnyete;the dungeon
in Which he had been placed was without
light, he was fed upon the coarscst food, dur
ing the night was chained to the floor ofthe
vault, and his own clothes, which had
been taken from him were replaced with
those worn by many an unfortunate prcde-
cessor.
For three months he dragged on this mis-
cradle existence: but at the end of that time
there was one amendment in his condition;
he was removed to a better room, into which
was admitted small but welcome light; bet
ter clothes, and more wholesome food, were
allowed him; and altogether, his circumstan-
ces were improved; but he still continued II
total Ignorance as to what his future fate was
10 be; for the taller the only human being he
ever saw, was unable Or unwilling TO answer
any questions on the subject. At length one
day, much to his surprise and Joy, his young
friend the interpreter entered his cell, and
nothing could exceed the delight of the poor
prisoner at once again meeting kindly face.
Huger now learned, for the first time, the to-
tai future of their scheme--that Lafayette