The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-12-04
TIE ESCAPE.

Messrs. Crane and Davis broke through
the window of their prison house.passed into
the window of the building opposite, aid so
continued until they had passed some dis
tance from the old tobacco factory, when
they emerged into the street.
"FOrtuuat is no one was around, and,
aiting for favorable time, at half past
nine We walked out into the street and made
cur way out of the city. There we're guasds
within fifty feet of the door on each side Of
it, but both were just round the corner of
the building and did not STE Us. Many OF
their soldiers wore blue pants and overcoats
so We escaped through the city and were not
suspected.
We dreaded passing the forts which We
believed we should fed around the city, but
most of them turned out to be wltaunt gar
risons. Once, indeed, We very nearly ran
into an encampment-getting between 1t and
the fort, but We avoided it and Went on
Later in the night we came close upon al
other encampment, and hid under the te2te
ill the disturbance was over, ana then We
took course at right angles to the one We
had followed, and thus avoided them.-
About three o'clock We lay down, and though
the air was very frosty, slept soundIy for two
hours. Then We started again. We met
with no ether Incidents till hear night
Wednesday,"
These Union soldiers came veGy near be-
ing discovered and AIKEN prisoners "edneS-
day night, but evaded 'heir enemies and
pushed on towards The Federal htes.
about noon, Thursday, We came TO the
c Chickahomminv, having walked till then IN
the woods and swamps. Fortunately VT
met negro whom We questioned. Fem
him we learned our proximity TO the rebel
pckets aud the difficulty OF crossins tie r!v-
er. He told us, too, That there we're 40 boats
on the stream, they having all been broken
by the guard about week before. we
we're to cross was more than We could mag
Inc. We questioned our informant aoou'
the conveniences for building fntt. We
told him what We were, and must cross lhe
stream without being discol For the
first time since we had talked wltn HIM he
raised his ewes to nine aud slow y turned on
his heel without muscle Of his face chang
ing It's stolid expres,iohless aspect, he said
Il guess, meUbee. he p YOU l had al
old fish boat. Meboee dey didn't find it.
And he led the way, deaf to all queries as
to the boat. Reaching the river, he gave US
another piece Of Information.
You stay mere and look out. Dey's pow
erful qaeer-dem pichets-huntin' round al
de time.
Of course we staid on the lookout. Soon
we heard noise on the water, and al was
still again. In few moments eur sable
friend made his appearance.
Come dis way
He led US to boat, and taking the car,
rowed to a path on the other SIDE. In-re
he fastened the boat and went as guide TO!
some distance aloug through the swamp, an
then giving US directions TO avoid the p'eA
cts, and what road to take, turned and w
saw him no more.
We followed his directions, and mad
coed progress till Lear sunset. We wer
following the road when we came to lufi
that led down hill, completing hiding tn
road from sight. Just at tn.s point We me
two horsemen, and did not see them I'll
within at least three rods of them. W.
dashed off into the open pine woods, where