Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-28

~ through tho
and. like giant footpad springing from be-
hind, had thrown its gray arms around the
lights atFort Point and Alcatraz, binding and
sitting their charitable rays with its cold and
misty hands, leaving the harbor's entrance
dark and unprotected. The lights that sparkled
on the hillsides, in the rigging of the ships and
on the submits Of the rocky islands one by one
ceased to emit their rays and persisted miser-
ably until by the hour Of all nature had sub
mitted to the ghonIish embrace and had ceased
to struggle. Only the fog horn at Lime Point
or chance belated tug continued to breathe
forth dull, fitful groans. which grew fainter
the fog grew thicker, until they mingled with
and died away in the roar of the surf breaking
over the rocks at Bonita.
The ebb tide. whirIing and eddying onward
past the jagged feet Of Alcatraz paused before
1t poured its muddy deluge into the pure depths
of the Pacific to lick the damp arch of the Bird
Rock and to gather in its clutches floating
spar that sought shelter behind the Shag Rock
and hurl il out upon the restless surface of the
obscure sea. Az the water receded from the
rocks the sea birds shook their heads from be-
meath their wings and waddled little farther
down so that the breaking sprav might dash
over their glossy backs and iuli them to sleep.
Suddenly the sea binds nesting at the waters
edge where the rocks break the current at the
northern base of Alcatraz became violently
alarmed. They rose. fiapping their wings. and
poised in the air. uttering piercing cries. A
black object, borne by the tide, floating upon
them out of the darkness. had dashed heavily
against the rock at their very feet. deluging
them with salt spray, aud then as suddenly had
veered off and disappeared around the foot Of
the ca~emate wall. Their fears we're prolonged
and their terrors increased bv the call of the
sentinel at the prison overhead. Corporal of
the guard, No. IT. and the sharp report Of
three rifle shots fred in quick succession.
There was not time for them to become COM
fortsbly settled again before the shrill peal of
trumpet call rierced the gloom and thew be-
came aware of the sound of voices and hurry
ing feet minpIinp in apltated discora above
them. Many OF the older birds whose habits
had became fiyed and nrecise unable 10 abide
the tumult witbdrew and settled down AGAIN
ornr,hi;ngly naor tho errae,, srar h,o, ON ;t,Ia
Alcatraz
On tbe yocks sbove led nv Isn,erns ov.r fhe
barren slones vronns NJ aark fpnre. TONIGHT
their wav through the foppr obscnrity Shonts
excited words of command and shril REPLIES
passed from scarp TO parapet and from covered
way TO casement wall
Such sonnd, as these had not been heard here
for years before-not since the tug Lola.
losing it's bearings in the fog. went ashore ON
the rocks where the bell house stands now,
drowning two Of the crew and stirring I'D in the
hearts of the peaceful inhabitants a degree Of
alarm unparalleled in all their history since the
war.
But the eve OF the harbor had cast off its
habitual drowsiness and was VIGOROUSLY OPEN
ing. The rattle Of arms increased and spread
over the summit of the green rock, and here
and there dim figures and hazv lights sprang
out of the fog and darkness renamed visible
for an instant, then passed on and vanished
Alcatraz. remembering it's traditional military
importance, bristled once more, and was show
ing its teeth.
At sharp angle where the road, descending
from the citadei,s turns upon itself just above
the prison. stood the officer of the day with
sword IN one hand and lantern in the other, ex-
postulating with the commanding officer.
ats No. ITO, sir: the man who was put in
the dungeon last week for trying TO escape from
the presidio-a tall, blonde fellow. with a long
beard. He cut ms wav outof the dungeon by
fling the iron bars over the window. There
must have been a boat waiting for him, for be
could not possibly have avoided the sentinel if
he mad climbed up from the hat rock after he
dropped out OF the window"
But why do YOU not have the dungeon in
spected, sir!" demanded the commanding Off
GER.
1T is, cir; every twenty minutes. He got
away between the inspection at eight-forty and
the one at tattoo. He was there all RICH. when
the sergeant Of the guard gave him his pitcher
OF water at eigh forty. He must have had an
accompfce who took him away in a boat. for
he could never have climbed up from the fiat
rocks at the foot of the prison without being
detected. The batteries are both turned out to
search. and if he is not already gone his chance
is lost"
Here the fat light house keeper, putting like a
porpoise and holding his lantern in front Of
him like headlight, waddled up the hill and
joined the group.
Terrible nasty night colonel" be gasped.
bad night for catching a man ashore. much
less on the the water. guess our crew couldn't
row fast.enou2h to catch him now, for he has
half an hour the start of them"
You don't mean he had boat. do you, skip
per?" inquired the colonel indifferently.
Lord! yes, sir. That man has been here too
long to try hiding on the island He's had this
fixed up for some time. 1 think his break at
the preside last week was Just blind to get
into the dungeon and carry out this plan to-
night"
s.What do You think, Mr. Quartermaster?"
interrupted the colonel, addressing one of a
group of young officers who had Just come I'D
the hill from the direction Of the barracks.
'Just what I've told YOU sir | knew 4
month ago that the man was planning escape.
and stopped his letter writing and had him
specially watched ever since. He is a married
man and wanted to Join his wife in San
Francisco"
but the descriptive list saws he is sinsle?"
81 know it, sir; and the descriptive list isn't
always right He is a deserter, and circum-
Stances 60 to show that he deserted to get ont
Of service and Join his wife. He was a good
mau-never had any trouble except from try-
ing to get away-snd he was more than ordi-