The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-02-15
NCok ill., SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY Il s5

OF his windows. If they were removed he
could throw himself from the window TO
the earth, il nothing could be produced TO
let him down; the crate must be remo-
we'd, he could never have egress bv tho
door, for there stands musket, with a
fury at the trigger, ready to shoot mouse
II one should stir near the stairway.
A few weeks after, he heard the signal
the first time. He was again aroused bv
The same well known sound; it was NIGHT
and Watt was locked safely in his cell
yet he could now give his friend n better
Idea OF his room than before; he had ac
cldentaI'y found match in the yard which
was dropped by one Of the keepers while
lighting his pipe, this he saved until ho
required the use of it, for he fonlly beicv-
&C that the Mountaincor would attempt to
rescue him, and true enough the signal
again salutcd his ear. Walter imme1;-
"tely iiShtcd his match, and held il. 50 il
stone on his face. The Mountaincer 500
ing hls face in the window, was satisfied
there was no istake; he had furnished
himself with a ladder, from an encpo
house. which he softly placed against the
wall, ascerded slowly to the top, and lis.
ten'ng attentiveIy, drew it up, and with
the utmost care let it down in the inside
he descended with the utmost caution to
tie ground, then removed it to the win.
dow, resolved to sec Wat or die: the lad
der was long enough to let his head even
with the window sill. Watts heart bea,
violently with agitation. at the daring Of
h's friend, yet he kept silent until he heard
the whisper at the window:
Watt are you right"
cs," was the reply. "Be ou;cL
iier'aiE.a v,aT or nitric aGid, and brace ol
well tried pistols, can you conceal them Z"
Very easily" replied the prisoner.
You know how to use them; can't
tarry long-a dog growIs-on the night
after tomorrow III come again, be ready,
adieu.
Farewell" groaned the eimpatient Cap
tain. He remained at the window 20 lis
ten if the Mountainecr passed safely over
the wall. He heard him as he caped on
the ground on the outside. The noise he
made was heard by the large dog, that
growled rs he entered, but now being
aroused he rushed furiously to the spot
whence the noise issued, he was too late
the daring robbcr was fairly over the wall
and was moving off with his ladder to
conceal it until the appointed time. While
the dog was barking, Watt distinctly heard
the door bolt of the lower story slip back.
The dog ceased barking, and the dor was
again heard to slide to its proper place.
After his agitation had ceased, and his
breathing became more free, he began
thus to himself:
"Now for liberty or immeyiate death.
I'll try this chemical, on the chalybeate
properties of the winiiou, and if corrosion
is one half as rapid as my blood, III make
an aperture here to produce vacuum,
for my final egress."
While his mind WAS thus engaged. he
was busy in preparing shred Of yarn
from his blanket, which he tied around
the bar, in such manner MS to escape
notice, the pistols he deposited in one boot
and the vial in the other. His boots were
Of no other service TO him there, for he had
heavy pair Of hrogans TO wear while at
work.
lie laid himself down once again 10
sleep, with the assurance that two days
more would end his toll in the wretched
building, when like an un aged bird, he
would fly to the arms of his beloved Al
meta, nor was he disappointed. At the
appointed hour, his trusty friend was at
his post, lie had left two fleet horses in an
adjacent thicket, and getting the ladder,
which he had safely hid, he advanced
softly to the wall to perform task that
seemed to be enjoincd by the most sacred
obligation Of honor 1t was by his insti-
CATION that Watt became robber, aud
by his advice assumed the name that be-
trayed him into this difficulty, and he now
determined to relieve his conscience by lib
Grating his brother outlaw.
When lie reachod the window, be found
Watt engaged in trying 20 wrench The cor
roded bar, which was TOO great q Job for
his waning strength.
After exchanging salutatiens, in whis-
pers, the Mountaneer told hun to push,
while he pulled, but to their modification,
they found il would notfalI on the out
side. Il necessarily would f'.ll within the
chamber, and tbenose shus crested would
be heara BY the slecpless guard at tIic
staircase, Tho cautious Mountaiueer told