The Portland daily press., 1885-01-02

nled IL Wlth gas OF Iueli oHh ualluiaSIu!O O
But the ball turned out 80 badly that, at the
proper moment, when the sentinel let go
the string, instead of rising high in the air it
went up only few yards and fell to the
ground before reaching the top of the court
ward wall. The sentinel freDziedly endeav-
ored 10 thaow il up with his hands, but this
was even less successful.
To this fortuitous circumstance l owed
mary hours Of torture, and, at the same
time. NV safety, for at the very moment
when the bail was sent up into the air long
striGg Of wood carts entered the lane OF
which have spoken, where no sentinel had
been placed. They would inevitably have
stopped the way, and all would have been
lost.
Anether interval followed for the necessa-
ry correspondence, in order TO arrange the
changes which were indispensable. Natu-
rally. another sentinel was posted at the en-
trance of the lane. But this required a
modification OF the entire plan, as there were
no means of combining the signals of all the
five seutipels outside the wall OF the court
yard so AS to give me the decisive signal.
Either additional sentinels would have to be
introduced. for the mere transmission of the
signals. or the decisive signal would have to
be changed.
TIE latter expedient was chosen.
One OF our party hired room on the third
story. directly opposite The hospital. From
the window could be seen not only all the
five sentinels, but the courtyard, also, where
/ took exercise. The signal was to be given
by means of a violin, which my friend was TO
play whenever all the signals were tavora.
be and the music was 10 cease when any of
them became impossible. This mode also
presented fhe great advantage of indicating
to me repeatedly the favorable time, leaving
to me the selection of the proper moment.
The first dav, when everything was ready
and the vehicle awaited me at the gate, it
was who caused my friends some cruel mo-
ments. NV simulated illness had become
only too real. The excitement had been too
much for me, and felt SO weak that l did
not dare to make the attempt. L did not
even 90 down, therefore, into the courtyard,
and they thought that the suspicious OF the
police had been aroused, and that was no
longer to be allowed to take exercise.
l was pretty we'll recovered in two days,
however. and resolved to profit by the inter-
val which my illness had given me.
l prepared everything; the shoes, the
;..ressing-gown, which required little riI
ping up in order to be thrown Off more
quickly-all were ready.
went TO take my constitutional. Nc
sooner had entered the courtyard than
heard the violin. The music lasted for five
minutes, but | did not care to prsft by it i'm
mediatev, for at first the surveillance in.
stinctiyely is always somewhat greater. But
10! the violin stopped. Two minutes after
ward some carts with wood entered the
courtyard. The violin began again.
This time | was determined to turn 1t to
account / looked at the sentinel; he was
walking along his usual line, some five PAGES
I'd tn I
at his musket, It was loaded knew it.
Would he fire or not? Probably not, be-
cause, being so near, he would rather wish
TO seize hold Of me. His, bayonet was more
dangerous, in case during this long run, my
strength failed me. had, however, already
made my calculations even on this point. Il
| remained in prison | was certain TO die
'Now or neverv said TO myself. seized
my dressing gown
One!
Bat, 10! again the violin ceased.
] felt as though should drop.
A moment afterwards, however, the music
recommended A patrol at that very mo
neut had passed through one of the lanes.
Directly the sentinel resched The exiremi
ty of HIS line, without moments pause
threw off my dressing gown with three we'll
prsct-ed movements, and was off like al
arrow.
The sentinel. with howl rushed at m
to seize me, instead of running straight t.
tie gate to prevent NV escape, and thus de
scribed his two sides of the triangle as fore
saw. | was so weak, however, that thos
who saw our desperate race from above, sal
that the soldier was within three PAGES o
me, and that his bayonet. which he thrus
forward, was within an ace of touching me
This, however, did not see. | only hear
his bowling and that of the carriers VIII
| were unloading the wood at the bottom 0
the courtyard.
On reaching the gate I saw vehicle; bu
| for a moment | was in doubt whether it wa
ours. for could not recognize my friend il
the officer who was on the alert in The stree
| To make him turn round, clapped N
hands, to the surprise Of nay friends VIII
were observing this scene. 1t was taken b
them as a sign of joy. The officer turne
round. / recognized him, and in less tim
| than it takes 10 ieli 1t | vas Inside the veh
| Gle. when went off like a flash of lightning
| and | was wrapped in military cloak whic
| nv friend had in readiness, as well as an o
| ficer's cap.
| At the hospital, as we afterwards learned
| an incredible uprosr followed. The offic'
of the guard hurried up with his soldiers {
the shouts of the seutinels. Completely 10
| lag his mead, ne TORE his nair' Aho q
| claimed:
L am ruined am lostl Follow hin
| Catch him! Catch himP
He was incapable, however, of giving al
orders. One OF our party, the signaima
thp very one who played the violin, hast
descended into the street, and approachir
the offieer, began to exhibit the utmost COZ
passion for the state he was in, actually IS
ing him what had happened? who had e
capped? how? when? whereof etc. Tie fra
tic officer tried to reply to him, and thus lc
precious time.
Au old woman gave terrible piece of a
vice.
They will go roundabout way she sal
land then make straight for the Nevsl
There can't be doubt about it. Take o
the horses from these omnibuses' (the
were some at the hospital gate) 'and cut {
their escape. 1t is the simplest thing pes
ble.'
This was exactly the course we we
adopting, but the old crone's advice was n
followed"
II.