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

ment hesitate, though the guards were,
unfortunately, not near the door. Knight
darted ON the nearest, who was by the
fence, and as he was bringing the gun
down to n charge, Knight seized it with
his left hand and struck its owner SO pow
erfuliy with his right that the gun was
instantly released. Brown had dealt with
another in an effective manner, and re-en-
forcements for the prisoners were now
coming: but two other guards who were
close to the gate. instead of standing their
ground, ran out and raised a great cutlery.
Wilson, Dorsey and others threw some
loose bricks, which happened to be handy,
after them, and prepared to charge out
through the gate, when Knight heard the
running Of the reserve guard up the road,
and, hngng away his musket, gave the
word, "Boys, we've got to get out of
thiS;' then, hulrying through the nall
and down to the lower corner of the yard,
was in Il moment to the top of the fence.
being the first over, but was closely fol
lowed by the others The fence was nine
or ten feet high and was no slight obsta-
Gle, but it was soon passed and then fol-
lowed most desperate and exciting
chase.
All of th, took but a moment. The
negro walters had kept perfectly quiet,
looking on the proceedings with the great
est interest, and only beginning to scream
when the noise outside convinced them
that they might as well contribute their
share. Bullum had just succeeded in
opening the last door, and flingiug it wide
with an impatient "Thrre, now when
the thrilling cutlery from below warned
him that his own departure must be no
longer delayed. Fry and myself had been
engaged in securing tie iailer, who, though
Old, was powerful and fought vigorously,
but had not finished when we were warned
by the uproar that all thought of Il quiet
departure was at an end, and that there
was no longer a motive III holding ON To
Turner. We all rushed down stairs rs best
We could, well knowing that we would
now be last in the flight, which was not
the post of safety. The descrter passed
us all like a tiger on the leap never saw
such speed in narrow place-and getting
| to the back door found two guards await
ing him with bayonets at the charge. lie
| seized one in each hand, cutting himself
| severely, but flinging them aside so furci
| bly, that the men were very nearly over
| thrown, and th,n with the same >Wiftness
continued over the fence and ON to tn,
woods, soon being in advance of all The
|
! Washington, but months after returning
south secretly to visit his family, was cap
! turcd, recognized and hanged.
Bunum followed after him and got over
the fence with difficulty, but though {
very brave man and hard fighter, he
was II poor runner. One Confederate
who was quite swift footed, kept right
after him, gaining considerably, ant
threatening to shoot him if he did ne
stop. 10 this Butfum paid no attention
for running man has an unsteady hant
and no certain aim, but he soon stopped
because Of exhaustion, just as the mai
overlook him Now BulIum thought i
the right time to try his yankee witt
SO he threw himself down and said: 8"
am so done out that ! can 90 no further
you run on and catch that fellow point
ing to fugitive running short distance
ahead. But the man saw the design, auC
with n great oatYi declared that he ma,
him now aud meant TO keep him. Poo
Bufum was allowed q very brief time +
rest, and then WIS marched back again l.
the prison. / have scarcely a doubt tina
if he had NOT waited to unlock the door
he would have made good his own escape
Capt, Fry and myself were close to
gether in going down the stairs, he bcin
n little in advance. AT glance he SAY
there was no chance in the front ward