The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-09
THE SECRET CAVE.

lHE SEChE1 CAVE Ii.
In the early part ofthe French Revo-
luton the prisons of Lyons were filed
with thousands of unhappy victims.
Seventytwo prisoners who were con-
demned were thrown into the Cave OF
Death on the 29th of December, there to
wait the execution Of their sentence.
This could not be the next day, because
it was the Decadi.
One Of the prisoners, by the name of
Porral only % years of age, of a bold
and ardent spirit profited by this interval
to devise plan of escape. His sisters
having, by means OF q very large bride,
obtained access to this abode Of horror,
began to weep around him."
ut is not nuw time to weep" said
he, sit is the moment to arm ourselves
with resolution and activity, and endeav-
or to find some way by which we can
elude our menaced fate. Bring ne files,
chisel, turn. screw, and other instru-
ments; bring wine in abundance; bring
poinard, that, if reduced to extremity,
w may not perish without the means of
defense. by this CRATE, which looks into
the Rue Latond, you can give me these
things; J will be in waiting there the
whole day to receive them.''
The sisters retired, aud in the course Of
the day, at different visits, brought a
variety of tools, twelve fowls and about
sixty bottles OF wine. Porral communi-
Gated his project to tour others, bold and
active like himself, ana the whole bust
ness was arranged to his complete salts
faction.
The evening arrived; general supper
was proposed: the last, they thought,
they should ever see. the prisoners sup
ped we'll, and exhorted each other to meet
their fate the next morning with heroism
and tortitude.
At II o'clock the associates began their
labors; one of them was placed as sen
tinel next to the door of the cave, armed
with a poinard, ready to dispatch the
turnkey, If, at his visit at Q o'clock in the
morning, he should appear to suspect
anything; the others, pulling Oft their
coats, began to make their researches.
At the extremity of the second cave
they found huge door, and on this they
began their oprations. It was of oak,
and double barred; by degrees the
hinges gave way to the file, and the door
was no longer held by them; but still
they could not force it open--it was held
by something on the othe. side. A hole
was made in it with chisel, and looking
through, they precelved it was tied with
very strong rope to post at a distance.
This was terrible moment2 They
endeavored in vain to cut the rope with
the chisel or file, but they could not
reach it. A piece Of wax candle, however,
was procured; and being lighted ana
tied to the end OF stick. they thrust it
through the hole IN the door and burnt
he cord asunder. The door was then
opened and the adventures proceeded
forward.
This door they found led only to an
other vault, which served as depot fox
confscated effects and merchandise. And
among other things was large trunk
full OF shirts. They profted by this dis
covery to make an exchange Of linen; SO
instead of the clean ones which they put
on, they lett those which had been worn
for many weeks. The doors beside that
at which they had catered, now offered
themselves to their choice. They began
to attack one, but they had scarcely ap.
piled the file when they were alarmed by
the barking OF dog from behind.
A general conservation seized the par.
ty; the work was stopped ia an instant
Perhaps the door led to the apartments
Of the Tailor. This idea recalled to thei,
minds that it was now nearly two O'Clock
and the time OF his visit. One OF the par.
ty returned toward the Cave of Death, tt
see whether all was safe, and so it was
agreed to suspend their labors until his
return.
When the scout returned, he said that
on his arrival at the Cave of Death be
shudderea with horror to find the turn.
key already there. The man, however
who had been left as sentinel, had en-.
gagged him to drink with him, and the
scout, joining the party, they
piled HIM SO we'll that he st last reeled
off without examining the cave much,
and was, in all probability, laid fast and
sound asleep for the rest OF the night
This was very consolatory news.
Quitting the door at which they ha6
heard the DOG bark, they applied them
selves to the other. They found there
folding doors, one OF which they opened
and found themselves in 8 long, dark
passage. At the end they perceived stll
another door but, listening intently, they
heard the sound OF voices; 1t, in fact, led
20 the guard house, where several sol
diers in their national uniforms were as
sembled. This was, indeed, terrible
stroke. Had they gone 80 far only tt
meet with worse obstacle than any thai
they had yet encountered Must all thei,
labors prove then, at length irultless?
Only one resource now renamed, ano
this was door which they had passed
on the outside Of the passage, and which
they conceived must lead to the grea,
court of the Hotel de Vile.
In fact, having forced the door, it ap
peared they were not mistaken; that they
were at the bottom OF staircase which
led into the court. It was now 4 :a(
o'clock; the morning was dark and cold
while rain and snow were falling il
abundance. The associates embraced