The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-16
THE ArrEAIPr.

AAB Al AG8[A
The last night that we ever spent to-
gether was q very quiet one. We sung
but little-only the usual number Of
late and thoughtfully. We were never al
to meet again in this world, and the sha-
dow OF the separation was already upon
US.
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 mp,
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 comei
We shook hands with q strong, lingering
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 a child, wept at the parting.
He had two coats, and as he had imme-
diate use for one only he loaned the other
to me. It was a wonderful boon, for
WAS nearly destitute Of clothing. Every
thing 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
on hand 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 q note thanking him for
the use of them.
Atlength the noise of shuf1in9 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 the coming
of our miserable dinner q 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
usual, while the company moved on to
give rations to the other prisoners.
Again we heard the shufling feet in the
hall as the walters returned. For q mo-
ment felt a sharp, knifelike pang shoot
to my heart. So keen was 1t that
thought for moment that my physical
strength was about to fail in this time
OF sore matchmaking that had never
happened or even been feared. before, for
always In the presence of danger had
possessed more than usual power. But in
an instant it passed away, and looked
about to sec If all were at their post. A
would be no fiinehing. The men looked
pale, but their teeth were firmly set, and
they were leaning slightly forward Ike q
horse straining on the bride. II 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 a 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 IL 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.
eyes, rather pleasant" responded he,
in a dazed and bewildered manner. He
could 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. Ihave reconcileC
them as far as 1 can, not always follow
ing my own recollections when the pre-
ponderance of evidence is strongly againsi
me.
''we are going to take q little wall
this evening-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. was by his side equally
watchful. There was no fear OF an alarm
being given by the colored women They
were frightened nearly white, but wer'
our friends, and had enough Of their wit
about them to remain silent.
Turner seemed undecided. "How abou
the guardst' he said in q feeble tone. w
war MAINLY nll IN fha Qnfrv IN
there had been a slow, almost unconsciou
edginJ forward, and half q dozen low
quick voices answered, ''We'u attend b
the guard, Mr.. Turner"
"Well, you can go them" he said trem
bling, while his face seemed to grow evel
whittier, for our looks were not pleasant.
"WeL, give US the keys, then, ant
you'll not be hurt. " said Fry, while Bufrun
reached out his hand to take them.
The action seemed 10 rouse Turner Hk
an electric spark ''You can't do that,
he said, and then sprang back, and opene
his mouth in the cry, 'Guar'-when m
hand closed over his mouth and stified tn
incipient alarm. 1t was scarcely fair, bu
in a moment the three of MS were upo
him. Fry had clasped him round the bod
and arms in no gentle embrace, BuffuI
had wreSted away his keys, and was OF
like a shot and unlocked the doors a. II hi
life depended upon It, while my hand ha
effectually stopped all noise. he bit m
finger with all his might, but the teet
were not sharp enough to do any res
injury, and the other bands were ghdin
down stairs.
Bufum unlocked all the doors easily ii
he came to the last one, in which were th
four Union soldiers and the rebel desertel
Not one in the other rooms dared com
forth But the deserter was intensel
anxious. He encouraged Bunum, saying
Don't hurry, 1t win come in moment
Finally it yielded, and the poor fello'
flung himself out like q shot from q cal
non and was soon In the front OF the nigh
but the four others remained inside
One OF the points about which there Is
little difference of opinion among Us
whether the attack on the guard belo
was not few seconds too quick-a mo-
natural error under the circumstances.
all the doors could have been first III
locked, and all who were willing to {
have been ready, the Jatler bound an
gagged, and the whole number, led B
those who had been appointed for Il
work, had burst upon the guard togethe
IL II possible that the victory would haN
been more decisive and the number OF e
capes larger. But Knight thought, as
was gliding cautiously down the stat
way, that there was q movement In q
group OF guards by the front gate indica
ing alarm. In this case the attack coul
1T be delayed, and it was made with So
passing boldness and success.
Porter and Bensinger led at the bal
door. The former grabbed the gun OF
guard that stood near, and jerked so ha
that the guard, suddenly letting 60, Port
fell nat, but was on his feet in . momer
Bensinger caught the sentinel who W
disarmed and held him perfectly quiz
Another enemy was in the corner OF {
yard, and, seeing the rush, brought
gun up, but before he could take aim PC
ter's muRket bad covered him, and he "
emphaticaIly and briefly warned that q
movement would forfeit his life. The thi
guard in the back yard was at once ov,
powered and knocked down, though 2