The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-02-17
DARING AND SUFFERING.
A History of the Andrews Railroad
Raid Into Georgia in 1862.
CHAPTER XXX
THE ATTEMPr.


to meet again In this world, and che sha-
dow of the separation was already upon
uB.
The next day was long and tedious.
All our usual exercises had lost their zest,
and we could do little but discuss in low
tones the coming effort We would not
risk an attack in the morning, for that
would have given our enemies all day to
search for us. 1t was far better to wait
for evening" even IL the day seemed well
nigh endless Slowly the sun rose up,
reached the meridian and disappeared be-
hind the Jail. We watched the shadow
slowly, moving up the hill opposite our
window till 1t had well nigh reached the
line on the summit that usually marked
our supper time. The hour was come!
We shook hands with strong, linger' ng
clasp, for we knew not how many of us
might be cold In death before the stars
came out. Capt. Fry, who was tender
hearted as n child, wept ut the parting.
Ho had two coats, and as he had imme-
diate use for one only he ioaned the other
to me. 1t was a wonderful boon, for
was nearly destitute of clothing Every
thing that we felt ought to be taken we
secured about us, 30 as not to be In the
way of the coming struggle. We still had
on hand a lot of books belonging to Rev.
George MacDonell, who had sent them in
not long before. We had not dared to re-
turn them for fear of arousing suspicion,
and carefully piled them In the corner
and wrote him a note than king him for
the Use Of them.
At length the noise of shutting feet and
the voices of the colored women who
carried in our provision was heard in the
hall "a sound always welcome, for we
were hungry enough to make tho coming
Of our miserable dinner a. great event.
Tho door was uniocked--only one was
kept fastened in the daytime now-6 VI
food was handed In and the door locked rs
usual, willie the company moved ON to
give rations to the other prisoners.
Again we heard the shutting feet in the
hall as the walters returned. For mo-
ment felt sharp, knifelike pang shoot
TO my heart. So keen was it that I
thought for n moment that my physical
strength was about to fail in this time
CT sore need--sOr'cthing 'hnt had never
happened or even been feared before, fer
always In the presence OF danger had
possessed more than usual power. But in
an instant it passed away, and / looked
about to see il all were ut their post. A
glance was enough to show that there
would be no flinching. The men looked
pale, but their teeth were firmly set, and
they were leaning slightly forward like
horse straining on the bride. If there
was any fear it was that they would
strike even too soon. AS for Capt Fry
whom had seen weeping a few moments
before, he was perfectly calm and his face
wore u pleasant smile.
AS the jailer unlocked and opened the
door for the bread pans to be- passed out,
Fry stepped forward in such manner
that it could not be closed, and said very
quietly as If it were the most natural
thing in the world:
"a pleasant evening, Mr.. Turner"
We had no thought of hurting the old
man If it could possibly be avoided, and
hoped to brighten him into surrendering
and giving up the keys without any alarm.
"Yes, rather pleasant" responded lie,
in n dazed and bewildcred manner. He
conld not understand what Fry had come
out there for.
The action Of the next few moments
was SO quick and under such fever of
excitement that accounts OF both words
and deeds vary widely. have reconciled
them as far as I can, not always follow
ing my own recollections when the pre-
ponderance of evidence is strongly against
me.
"We are going to take little walk
this eveniny-we are going out Of here"
continued Fry, standing close to him, and
looking in his eye to see the first symptom
of q motion. l was by his side equally
watchful. There was no fear of nm alarm
being given by the colored women. They
were frightened nearly white, but were
our friends, and had enough of their wits
about them to remain silent.
oh
the guardsi' he said in o feeble tone We
were nearly all In the entry now, for
there had been slow, almost unconscious
edging forward, and half u dozen low,
quick voices answered, "We'n attend to
the guard, Mr.. Turner"
I'WeI, you can go then," he said trem-
bling, while his face seemed to grow even
whittier, for our looks were not pleasant.
"Well, give US the keys, then, and
you'll not be hurt, )" said Fry, while Buffum
reached out his hand to take them.
Phe action seemed to rouse Turner like
an electric spark. "You can't do that
he said, and then sprang back, and opened
his mouth in the cry, 'Guar"-when my
hand closed over his mouth and stified the
incipient alarm. 1t was scarcely fair, but
in moment tho three of us were upon
him. Fry had clasped him round the body
anu arms III no Bentie emUrucc, DuHuUl
had wrestcd away his keys, and was off
like n shot and unlocked the doors as II his
life depended upon it, while my hand had
effectually stopped all noise. He bit my
finger with all his might, but the teeth
were not sharp enough to do any real
injury, and the other bands were gliding
down stairs.
Buffum unlocked oil tho doors easily till
he came to the last one, in which were tho
four Union soldiers and the rebel deserter.
Not one in tho other rooms dared come
forthi But the deserter was intensely
anxious. He encouraged Buffuni, saying.
Don't hurry, 1t will come I'm moment"
Finally it yielded, and the poor fellow
flung himself ont like shot from can
non and was soon In the front Of the flight,
but the four others remained inside.
One OF the points about which there is a
little difference OF opinion among US is
whether the attack on the guard below
was not few seconds too quick-a most
natural error under the circumstances. IL
all the doors could have been first un.
locked, and oil who were willing to go
have been ready, the iailer bound and
0aOOpd an1 the wbOla number lad no