Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-06-28

etrlct performance Oh tneF uuty Iequ'r-
ed.
You will take the nearest route to the
railroad, across the field he continued,
and thence proceed in the cara to your
destination. You must not losesight of
your prisoner during your journey. and
should be attempt to escape, yOu would be
justified in shooting him. You now have
half an hour to make what preparation you
wish.'
Soon after this, the colonel managed to
slip flask inside the bosom of my shirt,
saying as he did SO:
You have your wish, and may God pros
per your design As an honorable gem
tlemsn, of course hold you bound to in.
violable secresy, and to use 20 more force,
or violence, under any circumstances. than
what may be absolutely necessary to SO
cure your esoape.'
Rest assured my noble friend your cons
fidence in me is not misplaced y returned
in faltering voice. and with tear dimmed
eyes and it shall be my constant prayer
that should the hour OF tribulation ever
come to you, you Will fpd returned that
kindness and mercy, which you have
shown to fellow mortal in distress.
The colonel, who was visibly affected,
now took his final leave of me, with the
remark that it would not be, prudent for
him to hold any further conversation with
me. He bads me farewell, in voice
touched with emotion. walked hurriedly
away, and saw him no more.
At the time. appointed, the two men re-
turned and took charge of me, and we i'm
mediately set off on our journey. For q
mile we remained in sight of the camp
and then passing over the brow of steep
elevation, we descended to wild, rugged
hollow, with trees and rocks and hills on
every side of US. Perhaps there would be
no better opportunity than the present, to
try my chance for life and liberty and
nervIng myself for the effort, on which so
much depended. / said:
Boys, feel little low spirited, and
would like to ask favor of you.'
Well. what isIti' inquired one Of the
two.
L have managed TO secure a task of
whiskey,' said l, and with your permis-
sion, will take drink
That's game that three can play ct
-eh Jimr returned the fellow with
laugh
'Tain't nothing else,,re. ed Jim.
At this, Notwithstanding = irons on
my wrists, produced the bottle, and drew
the cork with my teeth.
Excuse me boys l said, with a smile,
'fOr taking the first drink, as l wish to
make sure of at least one share while it is
going and with this, put the flask to
my lips and held it there long enough to
have drank half Of it, though not drop
went down my throat.
'Oh. come said one OF the men layiAg
hold Of it, just give q fellow traveller one
chance
He drank to my entire satisfaction.
smacked his lips, and handed it to his anx-
ious companion who pObly initiated his
example, remarking, when done, with a
cumiCal leer, as be handed back the bot
tie:
That there's the stuff for trowsers.'
Just so,' said /, pretending to drink
again.
In this way. the flask was passed some
two or three times, in the space of ten MIN
utes, and then with feeling of joyful re:
lief, saw that tie last drop had been
drained.
The effect was not immediate upon nv
guard but in a short time, noticed that
they began TO walk heavily, and then uu-
steadily, and then both of them muttered
something about feeling awful SLEEPY.
initiated their motions, with every sense
alive. aud my heart beating fast with hope.
We continued on IN this manner some lit.
tie distance, and had begun to ascend the
opposite hill, at spot where the bushes
grew thick on each side of the path, when
both came to q halt, look ed with drunken
gravity into each others faces for few
moments, and then q0ietly sat down, and
almost instantly fell over, in a state of un-
consciousness.
Now was my time and gathering all my
strength, | gave my irons q tremendous
wrench. As they suddenly snapped asun
der and left me free. could scarcely re-
strain loud cry Of joy. To drag the two
men into the bushes, out of sight of any
chan9e passers, was only the work of q
minute, As still wore the butternut COL
Ored clothes which the guerrilIas had fore
ed upon me 10 exchange for my own, there
was no need of further change Of drees to
pass for Confederate soldier and secur-
ing musket and plenty of ammunition. l
struck off through the bushes to the right,
and hurried away over q wild country, az
fast as fear and hope could drive me.
Keeping to the fields and the woods
avoiding ell highways, settlements, and
even dwellings, pushed on, 10 westerly
direction, all day, fortunately without
meeting person just at dark came to
lonely cabin, and sadly feeling the need
of food, ! ventured 20 knock at the door.
who's thar ? inquired timid voice.
"A hungry soldier who has lost his way,
give me something to eat, and will 60
on
A pale, sickly looking white woman
came to the door, and assured me she had
nothing to eat, except some hard corn
bread, and gave me piecc about the size
of my fist.
pushed .ou in the dark till came to
rocky bill, and finding something like q
cave, crept into it and spent. the night, res
snming my journey at the. FIRST etreak of
light. The second day, like the first, 1
managed to get over long stretch of cOun-
try without being discovered. gradually
shaping my course 20 the north. That
night spent in the woods, sleeping in
some bushes. The next morning on re-
Stunning my journey, espied several rebel
soldiere, moving about in different direc-
tions, and fearing that they were hunting
Tor me, did not venture from the wood
all day. Since leaving the rebel camp
had eaten nothing but the corn cake given
me by the poor woman, and began to feel
the pangs Of hunger very kesnly.
could not remain where was in gafe-
ty, and as soon as it became dark boldly
struck down through the forest Into road
and setting my face northWard, hurried
forward, regardless of consequences. 10
the course of Eve miles, passed several
comfortable dwellings, but was afraid to
stop and ask for food. At last discover
ek mean shanty, standing little off from
the road, aud / resolved to try my luck
there. As got over the fence a little dog
ran mp to me, barking savagely, and at.
tempted to bite my heels. l watched my
chance and knocked him over with the
breech Of my musket which / carried. As