The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-11-07

naming four, when of duty, seskiu
shelter and amusement in a neighborini
house, whose master possessed a, suppl
of muscatelle and was not,averse to join
ing his guests in frequent libations
and game at cards as we'll. Afte
they had gene, my remaining guart
found it very prosy work, keeping
ing watch over so taciturn prisoner al
myself, and took frequent strolls to th'
retreat of his companions, lingering
there longingly, ,. .- 49,.
What mattered it to me, this neglec
of my guards My fate was .ealed-
terrible fate, surely. I knew how idlt
it was to hope for mercy from the demon
Cuchora, and also know that I would
only waste my strength in purposeless
effort, and raise stronger yearniDg fol
life, in any attempt to escape from this
strong dungeon.N ~" G"r
1t was not regardless of the, value Of
life. could not face my fate without
a shiver. I was not brave enough to
look unAinchingly towards the coming
of the morning light, but lin al, my
yearuiDg for life, 10 all my terror Of my
coming fate, I was not fool enough ito
hope against all conviction and against
the strength of these prison walls and
prison bars.
Suddenly, while in this mood Of min
eled. despair and resignation, low
"hist" sounded just outside the grated
window. I stopped abruptly 10 my
excited pacing up and down the apart
ment.
'Senor Americana. are you unhurt 2
soft voice, seeming to tremble with
emotion, asked. ~. .s- ..,
Yes. What wish your asked, sus-
piciously. >-.' d
BE quiet the voice answered, hur-
risdly. The guard is drinking with
his comrades, and lfyou are cautious
you may escape
Was this treachery-some trap set By
my guards to torture me by some un-
expected method ? I;hesitated. Who
was this mysterious friend?
| Clutching the ledge of the grated
opening. I drew myself up to Lowell
with it, and peered out. dropping back
with an exclamation of amazcment.
1t was o female.6gure beheld, dressed
in sombre robes, and closely veiled, but,
nevertheless, delicate slight figure.
While l gasped and puzzled over this
discovery, she, with, nervous haste, was
! busted, by meanssof. a short Z. lever, in
pricing off the1clampsabat secured the
iron bars of the aperture. After few
minutes Of this silent exertion, she
passed the lever through the grating.
You have only tn insert this between
the bars, and prize carefully towards
yos,'2sbe said ;7tthgy will drop out'
With all. the. e.Yilk, energy Of
uaanou snd rlacra ~ poslrldn ! but
| efe | could throw my wei ght on it. l
heard:a sharp cry from the woman,
Beware !
! And she fed, but where I knew not ;
but intuitively I threw down the bar.
and lay full length on the floor, per-
souating sleep. had scarce done 50
when the ringing step of the guard
sounded outside. A cold p0rspiration
ooEed out of every pore of my body as
listened for the death cry ofmy unknown
female friend. 100 -
But all remained silent outside. Had
she really escaped detection ? 1t seemed
impossible. After o few minutes, the
guard came and peered suspiciously into
nv dungeon, and then, as if satisfied
walked away. muttering, 1t is very
strange I could have sworn | saw 9
dark ohjec: here, moving about in the
shadow of the wall; I was positive
heard voices. My fears have beer
playing trick upon me-
The minutes, that, seemed ages o
agony and despair to me, passed, ane
the guard fingered near my dungeon
with no apparent intention of returning
again to his companions. / had jus
given myself up us'lost, when there wal
call from one of his comrades; and
half hesi,ating, yet unable to withstand
the temptation, he went to join him
casting several glances back. But once
within the apartment where his com
rades gambled and drank, his fear
seemed to vanish and his duties wer'
forgotten.
Scarce was he concealed from view
before my unknown friend was again a
the barred window.
Hurry, IS you value liberty sh'
cried. plcadinely. The guard may re
turn at any moment!
With the strength Of Hercules,
wreuched out the iron grating, and then
, by a mighty effort on my own part ant
by the exertions ofthe tender hands o
nv preserver, l managed to struggl
through the narrow aperture. Ere
E again, and standing face to face Wit!
MY drliverer. I began to pour flood o
= gratitud. to her; but, beckonipg me t.
' be quiet and grasping my hand, sh
, hurried me into the shadow of the bull
ding, and then steallhily, from house t