The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-06

agreeable. The space between the
ground and the flooring was not more
than three feet, aud from the unpleas-
ant odor that saluted their nostrils 1T
appeared to have been used as a recep-
tacle for all sorts of refuse, no doubt
dropped through holes in the floor.
"This is the critical time" said Pla-
toff. Don't make any noise, but stick
close 10 me. The first thing is to gain
the west flank Of the prison.
Crawling on hands and knees, the
boys followed their guide through the
intense darkness. A faint glimmer of
light was presently seen, and moment
later Platoff halted.
"Where are WEI" asked Maurice.
"Wait little" was the reply, "un-
til | can pick crack through these
logs"
He worked industriously with his
knife, making the dried mortar fly at
every stroke, and then applied his eye
to the orifice thus produced.
"Ah," he muttered, "this is the
front of the prison. 1t is showing fast
outside, and the guards are standing
around the fires. Everything is in our
favor if only we are permitted to have
time enough.
Il supposed this space opened on the
courtyard, said Maurice. Instead of
that it seems to be hemmed in with
logs"
Don't let that annoy you," replied
Platoff. 1.-THE building is old, and we
will have no trouble to break through.
/ can loosen any one of the logs in five
minutes. 1t is an easy matter now to
get our bearings"
They started off again, guided by the
wall of logs, and in short time the
angle was reached and turned. Platoff
led ON for dozen yards or more be-
fore he came to stop. "This is the
place." he said Don't be impatient,
but sit quietly down.. F."
He drew his knife and commenced
work OH the logs. AS soon as crack
had been excavated large enough to see
through he stopped.
"This is the critical time, he OBJ
served, after taking peep. 1.-The stock
ade is only six feet distant, and at a
certain interval. no doubt, sentry pass
es through this narrow avenue. Moth
ing can safely be done until he has gone
his round of inspection. We may be de-
layed half an hour, and perhaps not
five minutes.
Platoff became silent, keeping lis
eyes glued to the crack, and the boys
waited in an anxious state of suspense
| o1, .InanHnro h1o fThQV
knew that in less than two hours at the
very furthest their escape must he dis
covered, and unless they were clear OF
the prison at that time recapture was
certain-and death by rifle volley.
The least noise overheard came to theil
ears with alarming distinctness, an6
with every passing footstep or clank OF
arms they imagined that all was discov
cred. A sharp "Hist!' from Platoff turn
ed their thoughts in another direction
1.-THE sentry is coming" he whisper
ed. Don't utter sound.
A faint tramp was audible from with
out, and then shadow passed slowly
by the chink in the logs. For nearl.
five minutes Platoff neither moved no
spoke. Then he attacked the log befor
him with tremendous energy, and tn
mortar flew in all directions, covering
the boys with a coating of powdere'
, lime.
"It's good thing-this prison-wa
built by-convict labor" lie muttere'
at intervals as he piled his knife; "goo
for us-I mean" A moment later h
,, tore the bayonet from the rifle whicl
,, Maurice had brought with him, and aft
er few jabs with the farther reaching
weapon announced that the log wa
|, loose. He pried the bayonet in one en-
while Maurice used the wedge at tn
other extremity. Then working in con
cert the log was gradually drawn IN
; until Platoff was able to grasp and low
er it to the ground. The hole thus mad
was foot and half high by six feet
Outside was revealed the thickly fall
ing snow and the gray outlines of tn
/, palisade.
ITO BE CONTINUED.
-...A-.