Democratic banner., 1851-05-07

your cell. Be sure you choose dark night,
and stay until the sestinel has been re-
lieved at least an hour, then there's chance
of his dozihg; otherwise you run the risk Of
being fired at. But"
"rhat will do man. You may be sure |
won't die in this horrid country" interrupt.
ed Charles.
"Why, who knows but you might?" re-
turned the gaoler, in silly tone.
Our prisoner did not heed these words,
which he thought the ,inintentionsl ohssr-
walton of stupid fellow. The hope of soon
recovering his liberty so gladdened his heart
that, having got possession of that which he
most needed-tle file and the rope-be lit
tie cared about what tue man said. - IS
lie al once set to work. and at dusk had al.
most completed the filing OF the two bars. Fear-i
ing visit from the Governor, he concealed his
work by filling up the marks made by the file
with bread rolled in rust, 80 as togive il the col.
or of iron: and, having put his rope in a safe
place, ne watched The first favorable night, with
that feverish impaiience ana inward agitation
which render so poetical the life Of prisoner.
Al last, on gloomy autumn night, having
severed the requisite part of the two bars, and
strongly fastened his cord, he stopped out Of the
window and rested himself on the stone pillar,
one hand elias ping the piece Of the bar remain
ing. In this position he awaited the time when
all was buried in repose ard darkness. and when,
in all probability the soldiers slunbered. Know
ing the duration Of the senlin.ls duty, the time
OF patrol, and all those things which must needs
be observed by prisoners, he wat ,hed for the
mcmen: when the next sentry would have ac
com plished the second hour Of his watch, and
retired 10 tie watch tower TO shelter from the
dense fog then, feeling confident that he could
reckon on every good chance for his flight,
Charles Fitzgerald began 10 descend knot by
knot, suspended between earth and sky, but
grasping tie rope with herculean strength. He
had succeeded so far as 10 reach the last kros
but one. His whole body was then in an awful
iperspiration, aid his mind the prey oi dread
iul anxiety; this was indeed one OF those in
stances when life hangs but by thread. He
was Inv OH the point Of losing his hold Of the
rope, and sprineing down, trusting in his good
star, when happily he let fall his hat. He list.
ened Tor the noise hich lis fall would naturally
occasion, Lulhe heard nothing. A irightiuI siis.
lpieion Ihot through Lis mind. He began TO think
that 6rns.ish snare had been laid for hm-hni
10 what purpose? Who could have alt iniere.,
in his deeih? He could well surmise that some
friendly hand had worked for his deliv,nance.
but tonld not imagine he lad made an enemy H.
Gibraltar. The governor was the only man
whom Charles had held any intercourse, and
when the dreadful change took place in his con-
dltion, he had tot even once suspected tina, the
Spaniard was induleing his revengeIui spirit
To TIE benevolent government OF Spain he had
attributed this cruel treatment.
Meanwhile, hi, mind f,.aled in terrible indie.
!eisiUn; be felt almost disposed 10 adjourn the
enterprise te another night. However. he re-
solved To wait for the dim reflection. Of iw light
Ia time, perhaps. nct altogether unprop;iious.
iOwirg TO his prndieious muscular strength. he
re-asce nded 10 his prison by means of the rope,
but vas utterly exhausted when he reached the
baIIlenrm, whrreupon he sa, watching, as cat
OH water-splut.
BY the faint light of dawn he perceived that
betw. ell the last knot of the rope and the point
ed rocks oil the precipice. there lay the irifing
distance OF at least hundred and fifty feet!
"Nluch obliged 10 you. go, ,ernor!" exclaimed
Fitzgerald, with a song;t ;troid Tor which he was
remarkable.
After some minutes given 10 meditation, he
deemed II necessary TO re-enter his cell, and In
s,anIly began 10 execute the bold and dreadful
plan he had conceived. He stripped himself OF
some of his clothes. which he placed on his bed,
lett his rope hanging outside, so as 10 make il
appear certain that he had found his death III al
tempting to fly; then, quietly crouched behind
the door, his hand armed with one of the sever
ed bars, he watched the arrival Of the treacher.
Gus gaoler.
The man came even earlier than was custo-
mary, as he was 10 inherit the effects Of the sup
posed dead prisocrr. Charles heard him whist
ling merry air whilst he unbol,ed the doer.-I
As soon as he had advanced within reach, the
prisoner aimed at his head atremendous blow Of
his weapon, which caused the wretch TO fall, as
a heavy mass. without uttering one shrek. The
stroke had fractured the skull and eXtinguished
lie.
Without losing minute, the officer undressed
the dead man, put on his clothes, and, initiating
his department, quietly walked out through the
chief gate-thanks 10 the early hour and the
trustful spirit Of the sentinels.
Thus did the courageous young man recover
his liberty. He at once repaired to his friends
in the town, who concealed him until nightiall,
when boat was provided, by means Of which,
he safely reached, on the following evening, one
of the vessels OF the confederate Feet. He was
received with marks Of deep interest. The in-