The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-10-19
ESCAPE.

Cne of the most adroit escapes ever
effected was that Of Monsieur De
BoisherRut, a French Royalist officer,
who outWitted the soldiers detailed to
shoot him at the place of execution.
This story IL told in the Memories" of
a fellow prisoner who witnessed the
sad and curious scene, for though one
man escaped by g cunning strategy,
sixty nine brave solders of the king fell
that memorable night by the hand of
the executioner.
At nine o'clock in the evening, says
General Tercier, the prisoners confined
in the prison of Qliberon we're aroused
by the entrance OF an officer. Hsheld
in his hand a piece of paper, and was
followed by an escort of about twenty
Republican soldiers. AS he entered he
said: 'Citlzans, all those whose names
/ shall call will remain here. As I call
the roll, each one named will range
himself on the right hand side"
This singular order was obeyed in
silence. No one knew what it meant,
and all feared the worst. The names
OF all the prisoners present we're called
with the exception Of two. 10 that
seventy miserable Wretches stood in
line, awaiting they knew not what!
The order to march was given, and
we slowly fled Gus from the gloomy
Jail. We were marched to the borders
of the sea, where a halt vas made. The
officer in charge then read the death
sentence, adding these words as he
turned to US: 1.-The other prisoners
will not be sentenced until further evi-
dence is obtained, but they will be
present at the execution of the CON
demned."
General LIE Nome then had the I'm
fortunate men taken out, one by one.
and shot. The horrible work continued
for an hour, and we, whose hour was
not yet come, were forced to stand by
and watch our comrades perish, as we
ourselves must soon do.
at last it was the turn Of De Bots
heraut. The four soldiers who were to
shoot him said to him: I'VE are very
sorry, but it is the law; and now, if
you have any money, give it to US"
Monsieur De Boisheraut looked at
the speaker. and q thought flashed
through his brain.
81 have twenty five gUineas about
me" ne replied calmly; ''but l do not
wish to make any of you jealous. I
will throw the coins down, and each of
you shall get what he can"
AS he spoke he showed the gold, and
with a dexterous whirl of his hand sent
the coins flying in all directions. In
their eagerness to possess themselves
of the gold, the soldiers forgot the pris
oner, and went scrambling after the
glittering pieces.
Do Rolsheraut, who was quick Of
foot, seiE.d the moment to escape, and
fed with the speed of desperation. On
toward the open country he ran, hear
ing confused cries of "Haltl HaItl'
mingled with the report Of musketry,
as he sped on through the moonlight
He gained a wheatfield, which luckily
had not yet been harvested, and con-
cealed himself amid the high, waving
grain.
ALI night he could hear the tread of
the patrolmen who were in pursuit OF
him. The noises gradually ceased,
however, and at daybreak all was still.
He ventured now to raise his head and
look about. Worn out with fatigue,
the soldiers had fallen asleep, and the
coast was clear. Near by he saw a
cottage, end emboldened by the
thought that the inhabitants Of this
province were faithful to the king, he
determined to seek admittance. He
knocked at the door. 1t was opened
by the woman of the house.
"Ahl my good woman" he cried.
"will you not save a poor man who
has just escaped deatbG'
The woman made a gesture OF assent
and of warning.
"How lucky it is that my husband is
not yet awakeT' she replied. He is a
Republican. But quickl Climb into
the garrett
And for three months De Boisheraut