Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-08
CHAPTER XVII.
FREE.

"Yes, yes," exclaimed Platoff. "Was
blind not to think of it before? Pass me
that log out as quickly as possible. But
it is more dangerous, he added.
"From the top of the stockade we may
be seen by the men Oh guard in the SEN
try boxes outside, but it is our last
j chance. We must not think Of the risk. {"
During this conversation Platof was
standing in the narrow avenue in
plain view Of any sentry who might
chance that way, and just around the
angles were 90 or 80 armed soldiers.
Maurice and Phil lifted the heavy log
and showed one end at right angles
through the opening. 1t stuck fast sew
eral times, but Platoff BY main force
dragged it clear. and lifting it in bis
arms placed it at slight angle against
the stockade.
"Now come on" he whispered, and
assisting Maurice through the hole he
lifted him to the top Of the log. Bid
ding him cling firmly to the boards, he
mounted behind him. A clever spring
| landed him on Maurice's shoulders, and
a second later he was straddling the
stockade.
sis the coast clear2" whispered Mau-
rice.
PlatofP made no reply. His face ex-
pressed sudden terror, but the darkness
concealed this from his companions.
The distance from Maurice's head to
the top of the stockade was less than
four feet Bending down in silence, Pla-
toff grasped the lads outstretched
hands and drew him quickly to the top.
Phil instantly gained the vacant place
on the log, and in less time than it
takes to tell he, too, was safely on the
summit of the stockade.
"Not sound for your livesl' whis-
pered Platoff, and with a trembling
hand he pointed through the driving
snow to dark object some 20 yards dis
tant.
"The sentryl" he whispered. "His
back is turned. We must drop together
and run. Don't lose sight of me-"
| At this moment, when the danger
was most critical, startling Interrupt
tion came from the prison yard. Round
the front angle strobe sentinel, rifle
on shoulder. He marched down the ave-
nue. beneath the very noses Of the fright
ened fugitives, staring straight ahead
under the visor of his cap. He failed to
see the log projecting from the stock
ade, and, catching his foot on the end,
down he went with crash full length
on the ground.
Jump quick" whispered Platuff,
and all three sprang from tho stockade
together, landing heavily on the snowy
crust below.
Don't rise," said Platoff. "Follow
me On hands and knees" He crawled
away into the darkness at speed which
the boys found difficult to equal.
Glancing to their right, they saw the
sentinel still motionless at his post.
Whether he was facing them or not it
was impossible to tell. Foot by foot
they left the stockade behind, and still
the silence was unbroken. Then on the
night air rose a single loud cry. 1t was
answered by shout, and then another
and another boom thundered from the
little cannon In the courtyard and the
echoes quivered through the valley.
Platoff leaped to his feet. "The alarm
gun!" he exclaimed. "The whole set
Element knows we are FREQ. Run as you
never ran before and keep me always
in sight" ."
With great strides he plunged for
ward over the snow. Close at his heels
came Maurice and Phil, amazed at their
own speed. The sentry, catching a fleet
ing glimpse of the fugitives, raised his