Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-08-10

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should proceed in her. On Sunday. the
18th, had three interviews with G.. E; and
at o'clock he accompanied me to the
steamer, when ON. placed me in his
berth where l lay until o'clock, and
was then removed to the engine-room
and at half past o'clock ON. led me
through the furnace-room to the recepta-
Gle used for holding the Goals consumed
by the furnaces, 1t was adjoining the
furnaces, but partitioned off with sheet
iron. In the centre of this was an aper-
ture or trap-door, which opened into a
cavity underneath. This cavity, surroun-
ded everywhere with burning flames, was
selected as the apartment that was to oc-
cupy in making exit from the peridious
,Denison. The chances wore gloomy in
the extreme. The danger to me of suf-
location was too apparent to poor ON,
whilst. with quivering lips, he bid me en-
ter for,
There be things which We must dream and dare,
And execute ere thought be half alvarez
and without further reflection, I pushed
forward into the first chamber on hands
and feet. ON. having forced the trap
door, he launched me into the cavern be-
meath it. He then closed the trap door,
and filed the entire space with Goals.
was thus ensconced in compartment
about seven feet in length, three in width,
and two in height and by its formation
was obliged to lie in recumbent pos
ture. 1t being lined on all sides with sheet
iron, when the furnaces came to blaze in
full strength, the heat and want of air
made the den very insupportable. l drea-
ded instant death by sutfocating or appo-
plexy. The ordeal, too, was terribly te-
dious. After an hour, ON. dreading ia
tai consequences, caused water to be pun
ped into my dungeon by means of an open
ing in the ships kneel. was then pla-
ced between the two great elements FIRE
and water-saturated from head to foot,
with water, while fire ragged all around
me.
The police search occupied two hours,
after which ON. opened the trap door,
and helped me into the coal recess, from
whence he brought me into the engine
room. l was greatly exhausted, but soon
rallied.
Thus ended the police search at Lauu-
ceston; but on reaching Geroge's Town
Heads. being 40 miles down the river
ON. informed me that | should again con-
ceal myself in the same place that l had
just been in, as the search in Georges
Town for prisoners was even more rigor-
Gus that at Launceston. The anticipa,
ton of the second life or death ordeal
made me very uncomfortable, and look.
ed forward to it with much anxiety. Ha-
wing arrived at Georges Town was again
removed to the fiery dungeon, where |
was kept three hours, while search was
made, and my escape was indeed very
: narrow, for the place set apart for coal
over my head was searched closely by the
police constables.
On releasing me from this purgatorial
recess q second time, l was considerably
weakened. On putting my head through
a trap-door. it closed half way upon me,
and in hurried effort of poor ON. to dis
entangle me, narrowly escaped. On
regaining the engine-room, this fine Irish
man wept over me like fond parent, as
he cried out, "What do care now that
you are free?'
was now again placed in O'N.'s berth.
where 1 remained from Monday evening
till Wednesday noon, when he reached
Melbourne wharf. On arriving at Will
liamston harbor thu previous night. there
was u strict police search; but lay I'M
discovered in my berth. Immediately on
casting anchor at Melbourne, on Wednes-
day, the gel of December, Messrs. j. l..
B. and D.-three gentlemen who were
aware of my contemplated escape, came
on board; and it was determined that
l should walk ashore just as l was dress
ed, in old blue trowSerS and check shirt,
black aud greasy. and haggard as any
fireman could look. The quay was crowd
ed with people and amongst them a large
sprinkIing of police and detectives horse
and foot. My friends stepped ashore, and
carelessly walked on. l followed in their
steps, in a few minutes they entered a
friends house, where l also entered. AT
ter having a little refrsshment, my friends
procured vehicle drawn by fine spir-
tied horse; aud myself and D.. B. and l..
drove off at gallant rate to the mansion
of Mr.. Michael L.. the brother-n-law OF
Mr.. B., about four miles beyond Melbourne
My friends returned to Melbourne, and
l remained at Mr.. LIS during Wednesday
night, the entire of Thursday and Thurs
day night, and on Friday morning, the
Gath of December, Mr. P. c. and Mr.. Fitz,
of Melbourne, having visited and consul
ted with me on the previous evening. it
was deemed advisable. for my better Sc
curity, to remove a long distance from
Melbourne. to secluded and remote part
of the forest bordering on the sea-shore.--
A part of Port Philip headland, on one
of the solitary beaches of Hobson's bay,
was therefore selected as my rendezvous
for the present.
Accordingly, at six o'clock on the NOR
ming of Friday, the 24th, an Irishmau ma
med Bill D. was chosen as my guide, and
having been presented by Messrs. G. and
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