Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-01-27
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE ATTEMPT.


J'be last night that we ever spent to-
gether was a very quiet one We sung
0jlt httle-Only the usual number of
hymns III our worship. But we talked
Lat and thoughtfully. We were never all
20 meet again in this world, and the sha-
dow of the separation was already upon
us
The next day was long and tedious.
AL 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. II was far better to wait
for evening, even if the day seemed well
nigh endless. Slowly the sun rose up
reached the meridian and disappeared be-
mad the Jail. We watched the shadow
Siivgly moving up the hill opposite our
widow till it had we'll nigh reached the
.ns On the summit that usually marked
n,i- supper time. The hour was cOmel
We shook hands with a strong, lingering
Clasp, for we knew not how many of us
might De cold in death before the stars
came out. Capt Fry, who was tender
hearted as a child, wept at the parting.
lie mad two coats and as he had imme-
Hate use for one only he loaned the other
20 me. 1t was a wonderful boon, for |
'pas nearly destitute of clothing. Every
hing that we felt ought to be taken we
secured about us, so as not to be in the
way of The coming struggle. We still had
e1n haod lot of books belonging to Rev.
Efc4opge Mac Donell, who had sent them in
NOT long before. We had not dared to re-
'lurn them for fear of arousing suspicion,
and carefully piled them in the corner
and wrote him Il note thanking him for
The use OF them.
At length the noise of shutting feet and
Ihe voices of the colOred women who
earned in our provision was heard in the
aall a sound always welcome, for we
were hungry enough to make the coming
,1f our miserable dinner Il great event
The door was unlocked-Only one was
kept fastened in the daytime now-our
food was handed in and the door locked as
Isual while the company moved on TO
rive rations to the other prisoners.
Again Wc heard the shutting feet in the
'laD Ms the walters returned. For mo-
lmcnt felt Il sharp, knifelike pang shoot
70 my heart. SO keen was Il that |
3hpught for II moment that my physical
strength was about to fail in this time
sof sore necd-something that had never
'nappeied or even been feared before, for
always III the presence of danger | had
possessed more than usual power, But in
7n Instant it passed away, and | looked
about 70 see if all were at their post A
glance was enough to show that there
would be no finchng. The men looked
51aic nut their teeth were firmly set, and
-1hcy we're leaning slightly forward like
horse straniug on the bride. If there
was any tear it was that they would
strike even too soon. As for Capt. Fry,
whom / had seen weeping few moments
before, he was perfectly calm and his face
wore a pleasant smile.
A. The jailer unlocked and opened the
door foc the bread pans to be passed out,
Fry stepped forward in such a manner
'tha$ 1t could not he closed, and said very
quietly as if it were the most natura
ching in the world:
IN pleasant evening, Mr.. Turner"
We had no thought of hurting the old
snan Il it could possibly be avoided and
hoped to brighten him into surrendering
and giving up the keys without any alarm.
Yes, rather pleasant" responded he,
IN a ,iazed and bewildered manner He
could not understand what Fry had come
ont there for.
The action of the next few moments
was 50 quick and under such fever Of
enrichment that accounts of both words
and deeds vary widely. / have rcconcled
chem rs far rs ! can, not always follow
Eng my own rccullectiOns when the pre-
DonderanCe Of evidence is strongly against
me
owe are going to take little walk
Ghis rycninC--We are going out Of here, "
continued Fry, standing close to him, and
Cooking in his eye to see the first symptom
OF a motion. ! was by his side equally
Vvatchful. There was no fear of an 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.
Turner seemed undecided. GLOW about
The guardsY' he said in feeble tone We
were nearly all in the entry now, fol-
there had been a slow, almost unconscious
edgiDg forward, and half a dozen low,
quick voices answered, Gwen attend tC
she guard, Mr.. Turner"
Gwen, you can 90 then" he said trem
bling, while his face seemed to grow ever
whittier, for our looks were not pleasant
DWELL give us the keys, then, anC
you'll not be hurt, " said Fry, while BuiIuu
reached out his hand to take them.
The action seemed to rouse Turner like
TN electric spark. "You can't do that,
he said, and then sprang back, and opened
his mouth in the cry, Guar when m.
hand closed over his mouth and stilled tn
sncipient alarm. 1t was scarcely fair, bu
IN & moment the three of us were upol
him. Fry had clasped him round the bod
and arms in no gentle embrace Buflun
Rad wrested away his keys, and was OF
Nike n shot and unlocked the doors as if hi
life depended upon it, while my hand ha'
sRectually stopped all noise. He bit m