Middletown transcript., 1874-01-17
,a.s through tho space .hus made.

Follow me, comrades, as you best can.
Hcrc is no time for ceremony"
With that he crept out Of the opening,
and holding to the stone sill by his hands,
lowered himself as far as possible; then
let 20 his hold and fell upon the tiles with
a thud that was heard by his companions
in the prison. A silence followed.
II fear he hath taken some hurt" said
Long "He was ever oyer-bold. Climb
thou up the window, Elliott. and see if he
be dead or alive"
Helped by the others, Elliott did so.
In the darkness he could barely disting-
uish shadow from the widow.
Hist, Dudley" he cried. "Art hurt.
mani"
MAY! Safe and we'll so far. and but
waiting for thee and the rest. IT'S no
great fall. Come on, quickly. and leave
to the Roundhead ours their empty
room!'
Major Elliott turned back and held
council with his comrades. They united
in urging him to make tho attempt to es-
cape. although they, for various reasons.
could prosecute it no further. Thus en-
couragcd, the soldier followed Dudley's
example, and in few moments stood be-
side him.
The city was altogether quiet. A few
lights might be seen twinkling from win
dpws here and there, and the steepls Of q
great church was illuminated for some
reason; otherwise all was dark.
These houses continue in direct line
to the city wall" remarked Dudley. "If
we can but reach that, undiscovered, /
make little doubt we can get away"
'.Hesve with you" replied Elliott
.''Tis but bold push, and if we fail, our
case can be but little worse"
Creeping carefully along the roofs, they
set forward, and in fow minutes reached
the wall on the southern eide Of the city.
not far from the river front. The street
was closed by gate, whereat double
scntries were stationed The adventurcrs
heard their step, the rattle of :heir mitch
locks, even their voices as they spoke to
each other in subdued tones When these
we're hushed, they heard the Severn .Aow-
ing through the night. There was a
scusc VI lTe6uoHl III lue souHu tuaL Hldue
them mere resolute than ever to obtain
their own liberty.
The only possible way Of escape was
over the wall, and that was extremely
high. TO drop from it involved great
risk Of life or limb. Even if that peril
were escaped, the noise would certainly
attract the attention Of the vigilant guard
and swift pursuit, if not death from their
mach locks. was inevitable.
For moment they were brought to a
pause; but Dudley's fartilc mind con-
ceived an expadient. He went to a win
dow in the roof. on the slope more distant
from the guards. There was no light in
the room. nor any sign Of occupation He
shook the casemeat gently; there was no
token that any one heard. The window
seemed to be securely fastened, bat Dud-
ley had hi. steel buckle, and with it he
cut away the lead that held one Of the
diamond-shnped panes in its place He
then removed the glass. thrust his arm
through the opening and drew the bolt.
He stepped softly into the chamber The
moon was struggling with the clouds, and
sometimes overcoming them. so that it
was not so absolutely dark. With eau
tious movements the royalist advanced
until his hand rested upon bed. If it
were occupied. and the sleeper. being u
wakened. should give the alarm! But i,
was empty.
Dudley stripped off its sheets and blank
cts and carried them to the window. Ell
liot answered his whispered call and took
them from his arms. Ensconcing them
selves behind a chimney. the two soldiers
applied themselves to tearing the article,
into strips and knotting them firmly to.
gether. Soon they had long and strong
rope.
IF they be Ronndheads we have rob.
bed, it's lawful spoil of war;" whispered
Elliott; '.and if they be on the Kings
side, they will count it no loss if it ha.
helped his poor servants in their need"
One end of the rope was fastened Sc
curely around the chimney, the other wa,
thrown over. the wall. "Go you dowr
first. Elliott" urged Dudley. MAKE ne
stay for me, but hasten directly to Lon
don. There or otherwhere we shall sure.
| ly meet. if we both get safe away"
| The soldier went to the edge of th,
wall, running his hand along the rope
He tested its strength by two or thre'
pulls and then committed himself to j
for the descent. Hnnd-over. hand he wen
down, bracing his feet against the wall
The cord swung loose, and Dudley. watch
ing above. knew that his friend was saf
on solid ground. A great clock in th
city struck "two!" A sentinel criet
"All's well |" The call was repeate,
from gate to gate around the circuit Of th
walls. Dudley swung off from the para
| pet. A minute aud be was free, standing
in the open country with his face toward
London,
notwithstanding his counsel to the con
trary. Elicit had waited for him. The
set out together. But Dudley did no
fancy a journey Of a hundred miles O.
| foot
He proposed visit to the stables G
| ,o.,a og tl,o uac. 1.,:c, c...nr