Morris tribune., 1880-12-09
THE SECRET CAVE.

luton the prisons of Lyons were filled
with thousands of unhappy victims.
Seventy-two prisoners who were con-
demned were thrown into the Cave OF
Death on the Goth 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 bold
and ardent spirit, profted by this interval
to devise plan of escape. His sisters
having, by means of a very large bride,
obtained access to this abode of horror,
began to weep around him."
at is not now a 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 me files,
a chisel, a turn.screw, and other instru-
ments; bring wine in abundance; bring
poinard, that, if reduced tie extremity,
we may not perish without the means Of
defense. BY this CRATE, which looks into
the Rue Lafond, you can give me these
things; will be in waiting there the
whole day to receive them
The sisters retired, and 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, and 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 poinard, ready to dispatch the
turnkey, If, at his visit at 2 o'clock in the
morning, he should appear to suspect
anything; the others, pulling of theil
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 dool
was no longer held by them; but still
they could not force it open-it was hello
by something on the other side. A hole
was made in it with chisel, and looking
through, they preceived it was tied with
a very strong rope to post at a distance
This was terrible moment! They
endeavored in vain to cut the rope will
the chisel or file, but they could no
reach it. A piece of wax candle, however
was procured; and being lighted anc
tied to the end of stick, they thrust i
through the hole In the door and burn
the cord asunder. The door was thel
opened and the adventures proceeded
forward
This door they found led only to an
other vault, which served as depot TO
confiscated effects and merchandise. Ant
among other things was a large trunl
full of shirts. They profted by this dis
covery to make an exchange of lineni s
instead of the clean ones which they pu
on, they -lretttt those which had been worl
for many weeks The doors. beside tina
at which they had entered, now offere,
themselves to their choice. They began
to attack one, but they had scarcely ap
piled the file when they were alarmed b,
the barking OF dog from behind.
A general CONSERVATION seized the par
ty; the work was stopped in an instant
Perhaps the door led to the apartment
of the TAILOR. This idea recalled to thei
minds that it was now nearly two o'clocl
and the time OF his visit. One of the par
ty returned toward the Cave of Death, t.
see whether all was safe, and so it wa
agreed to suspend their labors until hi
return.
When the scout returned, he said tina
on his arrival at the Cave of Death h
Shuddered 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 tn
scout, joining the party, the
piled HIM so we'll that he at last reele,
off without examining the cave much
and was, in all probability, laid fast AM
sound asleep for the rest of the night
This was very consolatory news.
Quitting the door at which they ha
heard the dog bark, they applied them
selves to the other. They found ther
folding doors, one Of which they opened
and found themselves in a long, darl
passage. At the end they perceived stu
another door but, listening intently, the
heard the sound of voices; 1t, in fact, le'
70 the guard house, where several so
diers ia their national uniforms were az
sembled. This was, indeed, terr1bl
stroke. Had they gone SO far only
meet with worse obstacle than any ths
they had yet encountered9 Must all thei
labors prove then, at length frultless?
Only one resource now renamed, an
this was door which they had passe
on the outside of the passage, and whic
they conceived must lead to the gres
court of the Hotel de Vile.
In fact, having forced the door, it az
peared they were not mistaken; that the
were at the bottom of staircase whic
led into the court. 1t was now 4 "a
o'clock; the morning was dark and COLI
while rain and snow were falling
abundance. The associates embrace
each other with transport, andfwere pr
pairing to mount the staircase, when Pc
raj cried out:
i'sWhat are you about2 If we attempt |
60 out at present all is over with u
The gate is now shut, and If any on
should be perceived in the court, tt
alarm would instantly be given, and a
would be discovered. After having ha
the courage to penetrate thus far, let I
have resolution still to wait awhile.
8 o'clock the gate will be opened, an
the passage through the court free. W
can then steal out by degrees, and, ming
ing with the numbers, we can go ava
without being perceived. 1t is not ii
10 o'clock the prisoners are summone
to execution; between and 10 there wi
be time enough for all of us to get ava
We will return to the cave; and when Il
time of departure arrives, each of us Fl,
will inform two others of the means
escape offered. We shall then be fiftee
and going out three at time, we sha
pass unobserved. Let the last three,
they set of, inform fifteen others, an
thus in succession we may all make OF
escape
This plan appeared judicious and SAT
it was unanimously agreed to, and Il
associates returning to the cave, was