Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-03

dissimilar. and the escape of the rest was
nreyented by the imprudence of one #
ITEM The last of the fifteen who. in quiz.
ting the cave, was according to the plan
arranged. privately to apprise fifteen
others, instead of doing so. cried aloud;
The passage is open: let everyone
that can. escape"
This excited great movement among
the prisoners. They arose in an instant.
doubling whether what they heard could
be true, or whether he who uttered these
words was not mad. The noise they
made alarmed the sentinel without: he
called to the turnkey; they fastened inn
mediately TO the cave. perceived what had
been done, and closing up the doors by
which the prisoners had escaped, placing
a strong guard before it. Nesple. who
had excited this moment, was. with three
others. taken and executed. Another of
the fugiiives took refuge in the house of
friend. in an obscure street: but he was
discovered, brought back and guillotoned
II was not thus with Porral. the original
author Of the plan. He was the first that
came forth from the cave. As he passed
the sentinel in the court, he said:
MY good friends, it rains and SHOWS
very hard: were in your place. would
not remain ont Of doors such weather but
would 20 to the fire in the guard-room.
The sentinel thanked him, and, follow
ing his advice. the coast was left more
clear for the prisoners. Porral took refuge
in the house of one who was considered a
good patriot and escaped the observation
of party of commissioners who entered
the house. As soon as they were gone,
he began to think of making his way out
of the city As fast as possible. When he
arrived at the Palace BelIe-Cour he found
parties of the gei darmerie dispersed
everywhere. Porral went into house.
and. making known who he was, en-
treated an asylum.
The inhabitants were women, timid to
excess. but the desire of saving an in
nocent person rendered them courageous.
They conducted him into garnet and con-
cealed him behind some planks standing
up in corner.
The gendarmes arrived: they searched
the house: they came into the garnet
where Porral was concealed Here they
found large cask, the top OF which was
fastened down by a paddock. They asked
for the key; the women went down stairs
for it. While they were gone one of the
gendarmes leaned against the planks
NDlle Il spfouu one Stlu.
'"Twould he droll enough if we were
to find one Of the fugitives concealed in
this cask'
More likely plate or money says a
third. ''for it seems very heavy"
The kew at length arrived; the cask
wa, unlocked. and was found to be full of
salt The gendarmes swOre at this dis
appointment. visited the roof of the house.
and then retired In the evening Porral.
dressed in women's clothes, with a basket
on his head and another on his arm. pass
ed the bridge OF La Guilletiere. and quilted
the city.
Gabriel. another of the fugitives. con-
cealed himself among the bushes in the
marshes of the Trevauxe Perrach. where
he was nearly frozen TO death, but he got
away to place of safety.
One Young Couchoux. who was one of
the five that had opened the way ofescape
made choice OF his father. who was nearly
so wears of age. as one of the fifteen. but
poor old mans legs were swollen. and he
was scarcely able to walk.
Fly. hy, nv SOM he said; IF thou
hast the opportunity fly this instant. |
command it rs an act OF duty. but it is inn
possible that should fly with thee. |
have lived long enough-my troubles will
soon be finished. and death will be de-
prived of its sting if know that thou art
in safety"
The son assured him that he would not
quit the prison without him. and that his
persistng in his refusal would only end in
the destruction of both. The father over
come by his dutiful affection. yielded; and
supported by his son, made his way to the
bo,tom nj the staircase but TO ascend il
was out of his power; he could just drag
his legs along the ground. but to lift them
up was impossible. His son. though low
in statue and not strong. took him up in
his arms the desire of saving his father
gave him renewed strength and he carried
him to the top of the stairs. His tilial
piety was rewarded and both father and
son escaped.