American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-04-26

of his frst action. He said he would do
the same again, had he the opportunity,
with little in addition to it. lie would
be fool if he let the first fellow up after
knocking him over.
"Well, what's done can't be undone," "
| answered. Zone thing doesn't need
proof; we arc in tight fix. with a very
small chance of getting out Of it"
"What do you s'pose they'll do with
us ?" said Joe-and l plainly detected
his fear.
"Their usual custom is, to put their
| prisoner, with heavy weight in sack,
and throw him into the river, and | see
no reason why they should take differ
ent course with us"
Joe sprang up from the earth where
he was sitting, without saying word
He stood Tor a few minutes, and by the
faint moonlight saw that he cast his eyes
up at the window pretty often. Finally
he asked me whether | had my knife with
me. On feeling in my pocket l found 1t
and | gave it to him asking him, at the
same time, what he intended TO do with
it.
Just wait a minute, and I will tell
YOU" he said. "Stand up here by the
wall and let me get over your shoulder, as
| want to lock at that window little
while.
After little trouble he managed to
/ balance himself and as he stood his breast
came up to the window. lie examined it
moment and then said that although
the bars were firm and solid yet they were
made of wood, and he Immediately COM
menced cutting the lower one. | held
him until the pain grew insupportable,
and then We changed places. As Joe took
his place the second time, he gave the bar
powerful wrench, which separated it,
and by the time he again took his place
the second one was nearly off. In this
way We wrought till about midnight, when
the .ldst bar was gone, and Joe with light
heart, sprang to the ground.
II calculate" said he ''that there will
be little more trouble before they get us
again There is no time to lose, and
will give you my plan. After one of us
gets through the window, the other must
remain for two important reasons. First,
it would be impossible for two of US to
escape after getting out and the second
reason is, that if one gets out of here the
other cdnt Now | can help you out,
and you can take one of these clubs and
defend yourself well and then if our boat
is gone, You must take another, and hasten
to the ship and get dozen of the boys,
and come back and kick up a row. It's
a mighty slim chance, know, bat it is
the one for us. If you are retaken, why
that is all. If you cannot get back here
in time, never mind. There are not many
who will miss old Joe Gremmet, except
| his mother. You can write to her and
tell her that | died like a sailor"
"No," | replied, ait is now midnight,
and what is done must be done quickly.
There is but one method of escape. One
of us. as you say, must remain here
| Should | leave, | should most certainly
be captured You are able to run much
faster than |, and are able to fight your
way the best. There is one plan; you
must go, and | must stay. 1t is just a
loss of time to argue the matter. You
know as well as | do that this is the best
means and time is precious So don't
wait any longer.
"Well, I'll go; though it seems cruel
to leave shipmate in distress. Help me
up. Good-by"'
A press of the hand and the next in
slant he was at the window He squeezed
himself through, and then hanging for a
second by his hand, he said I
"Good-by, again. Keep good heart
| will do all can for you"
heard him strike the ground, and list.
ened to his footsteps as they died away in
the distance. | began now to reflect upon
my situation. My chance was small in.
deed. ! knelt down on the damp earth
and offered up prayer, and when l arose
| felt comforted / sat down in one cor.
ner feeling drousy and weary, and in spite
of the circumstances around me, fell
asleep.
Rang went the door chatter, chatter
sounded their voices and, as | looked W
alolt hundred eyes an mouths seemed
to be before me. As soon as they saw thai
one had escaped, they seemed to become
perfectly crazy. Some ran up and seized
hold of me; others examined the window