The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-01-01

and waned. AS the shadows grew
thick, the royalist climbed up agaiI
began his task. By and by the mOOI
looked in. "YOu will be discovered,
boded the old major. But friendl.
clouds rolled up end covered the mool
save for q few occasional glimpses.
"HOw goes it now,n inquired FL
lott, after what seemed a long inter
val, in which gentle showers of tn
dust and lime had Deen falling steadi.
ly upon his head.
"Have little patience, good FL
lott" was the response, this bar i
almost unseated.
Presently the bar was entirely de
tached from its setting, and mar
could easily pass through the space
thus made.
"Tis a long leap to the houseIops
but I'll venture it," said the sturdy
Dudley. "FOllow me, comrades, a
best YOU can. Here is no time 70
ceremony"
With that he crept out of the open
ing, and holding to the stone sill bI
by his hands, lowered himself as IA
as possible then let go his hold ant
fell upon the tiles with a thud tha
was heard by his, companions in tht
prison. A silence followed.
81 fear he has taken some hurt,
said Long. "He was ever over-bold
Climb thou up to the window, Elliott
and see if he is dead or alive.
Helped by the others, Elliott did so
In the darkness he could barely dis
tinouish a shadow from the window,
"Bist, Dudley" he cried. Gar
hurt, man ?"
"Nay! Safe and we'll so far, and
but waiting for thee and the rest.
'Tis no great fall. Come on, and
leave to the ROundhe2d ours theil
empty room ~
Major Elliot turned back and held
council with his comrades. They uni
ted in urging him to make his escape
although they, for various reasons
could prosecute it no further. Thus
encouraged, the soldier followed DEd'
ley's example, and in few moments
stood beside him.
The city was altogether quiet. A
few lights might be seen twInkling
from windows here and there, and
the steeple of the great church was
Illuminated for some reason; other
wise all was dark.
'Trhese houses continue in a direct
line to the city WALL" remarked Dud-
lev. ''If we can reach that, undiscov-
cred, 1 make little doubt we can get
"Have with you," replied Elliott
"Tis but bold push, and If we fall
our case can be but little worse"
Creeping carefully along the roofs
they set forward, and in a few min
utes reached the wall on the southern
side of the city not far from the rivel
front. The street was closed by 8
gate, whereat double sentries were
stationed. The adventures heard
their step, the rattle of their match
locks, even their voices as they spoke
to each other in subdued tones
When these were hushed they heard
the Severn flowing through the night
There was a sense of freedom in the
sound that made them more resolute
than ever to obtain their own liberty
The only possible way of escape wa:
over the wall, snd that was extreme
ly high. To drop from it involved
great risk of life or limb. Even i
that peril were escaped the noise
would certainly attract the attention
of the vigilant guard, and swift pur-
suit, if not death from their match
locks, was inevitable.
For q moment they were brought To
a pause; but Dudley's fertile mind
conceived an expedient. He went to :
window in the roof, on the slope more
distant from the guards. There wa;
no light IN the room nor any sign oi
occupation. He shook the easement
gently; there was no token that any
one heard. The window seemed t
be securely fastened, but Dudley had
his steel buckle, and with it he cut
away the lead that held one of the
diamond-shaped panes in its place
HE then removed the glass, thrust
his hand through the opening and
drew the bolt. He stepped softly into
the chamber. The moon was strug'
eiing with the clouds, and sometime:
overcoming them, so that it was mol
so absolutely dark. With cautious
movements the royslist advanced un'
til his hand rested upon a bed. If Il
were occupied, and the sleeper, being
awakened, should give the alarm
But it was empty.
Dudley stripped off its sheets anc
blankets and carried them 70 the win,
dow, Elliott answered his whispered
call and took them from his arms
Ensconcing themselves behind
chimney, the two soldiers applied
themselves to tearing the articles int
strips and knotting them firmly 10.
gether. Soon they had long anC
strong rope.
"If they be Roundheads We hav'
robbed tits lawful spoil of war" whis
pered Elliott, "and if they be on the
Kings side, they will count it no los
if ithas helped his poor servants il
their need"
i One end of the rope was fastened
securely around the chimney, tht
other Nss thrown over the wall. Gl
you down first Elliott, urged Dudley
] Make no stay for me but hasten di
rectly to London. There or other
where we shall surely meet, if W,
both get safe away.
The soldier went 70 the edge Of III,
wall and running his hand along tn
rope, he tested its strength by tw'
or three pulls, and then committee
himself to it for the descent. Hand
overland he went down, bracing hi
feet against the wall. The corr
swung loose, and Dudley watching
from above knew that his friend wa
on solid ground. a great clock in tn,
eity struck ''twom a sentinel cries
GAIps well!n The call was repeated
from gate to gate around the circui
of the walls as Dudley swung offfron
the parapet. A minute later and b.
was free, standing in the open country
with his face towards London.
Notwithstanding his counsel to tn
contrary, Elliott had waited for him
They set out together. But Dudley
did not fancy journey of hundre'
miles on foot.
He proposed q visit to the stables o
some Of the near-lying farms. Passini
through the fields with that inten
they found one horse grazing, alread!
saddled and bridied; no unusual thin
in those troublesome times, when m
man knew at what moment he nigh
need to ride for his own life, or for tn
good of the cause he espoused. This an
imal Elliott took, Dudley going on b
the stable, where he soon provided
. himself with spirited steed.
He rode down the Severn, wher
J bend in the river brought him il
full view Of the sleeping city. II
turned in his saddle TO look. Th
, moon came out from behind q darl
bank of cloud. The image of walls
/ and roofs, and spires was family re
; fected in the swift current. The ligh
) in the illuminated steeple shon
through two round windows that ha
: grOtesque resemblance to CLOWN
: eyes. But they did not discern tn
escaping royalist. No outery aros
/; 'on the silence; no sound that indi