Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-03
GaIes arto Sketfbfs.
raE CAVE o. DEATH.

In the early days of the French Revolu-
ton the prisons Of Lyons were filled with
thousands of unhappy victims. Seventy
two prisoners who were condemned were
thrown into the Cave Of Death on the
9Th Of December, there tn wait the execu-
ton 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 81 years Of age. Of a bold and
ardent spirit, profited by this interval to
devise a plan Of escape. His sisters hay-
ing, by means Of very large bride,
obtained access to this abode OF horror,
began to weep around him.
ut is not now time 10 weep" said he
'.it is the moment 10 arm ourselves with
resolution and activity, and endeavor tn
find some way by which we can elude
our menaced fate Bring ME files. a
chisei. turnscrew and other instruments
bring wine in abundance bring aponiard.
that, if reduced to extremity. we may not
perish without the means Of defence. BY
this gate. 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 communicate
ed his projects TO four others, bold and
active as himself. and the whole business
was arranged to his complete satisfaction.
The evening arrived; general supper
was proposed-the last, they thought. that
they should ever eat. The prise ners
supped well, and exhorted each other to
meet their fate the next morning with
herosm and fortitude.
At II o'clock the associates began their
labors one OF them was placed as a
sentinel next the door Of the cave, armed
with poniard, ready to dispatch the
turnkey if. at his visit at o'clock in the
morning. he should appear to suspect
anything; the others pulling off their
coats, began to make their researches.
At the extremely Of the second cave
they found huge door. and on this they
began their operations. II was Of oak
and double-barred; by degrees the hinges
gave way to the files, and the door was
no longer held by them; but still they
could not force it open it was held by
something on the other side. A hole was
made in it with chisel, and, looking
through. they perceived it was tied by =
very strong rope at a distance.
This was terrible moment, They en-.
deavOred in vain to cut the rope with the
chisel or file, but they could not reach it
A piece of wax candle. however was pro
cured and being lighted and tied to the
end OF II stick. they thrust it through the
hole in the door and burnt the cord asund
err. The door was then opened and the
adventures proceeded forward.
This door they found led only to another
vault, which served AS depot for cOnfis
Gated effects and merchandise. Among
other things was a trunk full of shirts
They profited by this discovery to make
change of linen: and instead of the clear
ones which they took. they left their own
which they had worn for many weeks
Two doors beside that mt which thew haC
entered now offered themselves to thei
choice. They began to attack one; Blu
they had scarcely applied the file. whel
they were alarmed by the barking of ;
dog behind.
A general CONSERVATION seized tn,
party the work was stopped in an in
slant perhaps the door led into the apart
ment of the TAILOR. This idea recalled Il
their minds that il was now near on to
O'Clock the time Of his visit One of thu
party returned toward the Cave of Dealt
to see whether all was safe. and it wa
agreed to suspend their labors till his re
turn.
When the scout returned he said that Oh
his arrival at the Cave of Death he shud
dered with horror to find the turnke,
there already. The man. however. wht
had been left as sentinel had engaged
him to drink with him and the scout Join
ing the party. they had piled him so wei
that he at last reeled off without examin
ing the cave much. and was in all proba
bility laid fast asleep for the rest Of the
night. This was very consolatory news
Quitting the door at which they haC
heard the dog barking. they applied thsm
selves To the other. They found here
folding doors. one of which they opened
and found themselves in a long. dark pas
sage. At the end they perceived still an
other door; but, listening very intently
they heard the sound of voices it. in fact
led to the guard house. where several sol
diers in their national uniform were as
sembled. This was. indeed. a terrible
stroke. Had they then gone so tar onl,
to meet with worse obstacle than an,
they had vet encountered Must all theil
labors prove, then. at length fruitless?
Only one resource then remained. ant
this was door which they had passed OF
the side OF the passage. and which they
conceived must lead to the great court @
the Hotel lie Vile.
In fact. having forced the door. il ap
peared that they were not mistaken: that
they were at the bottom Of the staircas,
which led into the court. 1t was now
half-past O'Clock the morning was darl
and cold. while rain and snow were fall
ing in abundance. The associates EN-
braced each other with transport. an,
were preparing to mount the staircase
when Porral cried out
What are you about? five attemp
TO go out at present, all is over with us
The gate is now shut, and il any on,
should be perceived in the court tn,
alarm would instantly be given. and al
would be discovered. After having had
the courage to penetrate thus far, let u:
have resolution to wait awhile. At {
O'Clock the gate will be opened and the
passage through the court free. We car
then steal out by degrees, and mingline
with the numbers. we can go away with.
out being perceived. 1t is not till Il
O'Clock the prisoners are summoned to