The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-01-21


for in order TO save it for its owner |
had to push 1t ahead OF me ms | crawled
onward The length of the tunnel SEEM
ed interminable was gaspinp for
breath, and my shoulder was paininp
me dreadfully, 1t seemed asst we were
lost in some horrible grave,
Twas struck with the wonderful clear
ness with which all sounds were trans.
nitted through the passage, as ii we
were encompassed by metallic instead
OF clay walls At last, near funting
with sutl'oGation, pain and fatigue, II
ray of light gladdened my eyes and
felt the welcome blesscdnrss Of fresh
air--ccrtainly the most delicious air
have ever breathed in my whole life. --
Morgan extended his hand and gave me
a friendly welcome as rose like au
appariiOn TO the surface Of the earth,
and having reached terra Iirma made
careful and minute survey Of my sur
roundings. i was in n yard that divided
two old buildings that faced respective
ly north aud south.
stood about seventy feet from the
eastern wall Of the prison, and looking
through the dilapidated fence saw the
sentincls pacing their posts and by the
light of the street lamps could easily
distinguish their features. An srched
way Of sufficient width for the passage
Of wagons led to the street on the south
that ran next to and parallel with the
canal. now noticed q third person
in the yard, and Morgan in whisper
introduced Lieutenant William Wat
son, of his own company Of the Twen-
ty-ilrst Wisconsin Regiment We held
hurried conference, and decided to go
down the street in an eastcrly direction,
agreeing TO meet nj the second corner
for further consultation We each re-
moved our shoes, that We might move
nose!casly, and also that we might run
the swifter if challenged by the scuti-
nels.
Watson went of FIRST aud was follow
ed III about two minutes by Morgau.-
AS they moved away closely watched
the two nearest guards, who at one time
halted on their posts and Gazed together
after the retreating forms Of my two
friends. resolved, should they show a
sign OF firing, 10 shout an alarm to my
comrades and dash down the street az
ter them, But the guards appeared TO
have no suspicion that they were Yam
KEGS, and without any audible comment
regarding them resumed their pacing on
their posts. Feeling this to be my OPP
portunity, | stopped from the arched
way and leisurey followed in the wake
OF my friends. 1t would be difficult TO
convey TO one who has not shared in
ike experience clear idea Of the pecu-
liar sensation felt when, after an inn
prisonment OF over six months first
found myself in the open, fresh air and
drank in the first fragrant breath Of my
liberty; and ! felt pang of regret as |
turned irresstibly to look at the grim
walls OF Libby, where | was leaving,
perhaps forever, many Of the most gal
liant fellows, the most valued friends Of
my life. | followed the tracks
OF the Coufederates to the border OF the
open field, which afforded clear view
| for not less than half.mile toward the
north. A small farmhouse stood in
| sight at distance which estimated at
1000 yards, but not man was in sight
OF hearing. The sudden disappearance
Of the party, whom knew could not
| have reached the house in SO brief a
time, was significant, and instantly
! concluded that they were at that very
minute depIoyiug about the border OF
the swamp, so as TO encompass and close
in on us. ! turned quickly, and ran
back into the swamp expecting, as re-
treated to hear the whizz of bullet
from a concealed Confederate, had
taken less than dozen steps, when n
long, clear whistle was heard to my
right, and instantly answered by another
on the opposite side of the swamp Ny
two friends, installing these for my sig-
mails, bounded through the woods like
startled deer, running towards the south
side
| stopped an instant, aud heard
dozen answering whistles. followed by
the loud, clear command Of the Con-
federates to CLOSE in" could hear
the crash and parting Of the brush as
our pur.ucrS pushed their way into the
tangled junge The thought Of going
back captive to Libby wa, like "A kEel)
of death, and | fully resolved to take
any chance short OF actual suicide rath-
or than be taken. had yet heard 20
sound from the east side Of the swamp,
and therefore determined upon that as
the point Ia run the gauntlet tore
through the low bog. and lost my left
shoe in the treacherous mire, and, to
increase my speed, | took OF the other
and threw il away, | struck cow-polh
running eastward, and halcss and
without shoes, fairly dew over the
ground. spraug upon the huge trunk
OF a fallen tree that crossed the path,
and, as ! lcaped to the ground on the
opposite side, tall Confederate con-
cealed behind it, and who had not heard
my swift and noiseess approach sprang
to his feet, leaving his carbinc leaning
against the tree turned and ran. He
tripped and fell Hat on his face, utter
ing 4 "whoop' like n Comanche In
dian.
As he lay straight in the path ! lenped
squarely over him and almost into the
arms Of tirec Of the Confcderatos, who
levcled their carbineS at my head and