The Monitor-register., 1897-07-30
A Singular Escape.


record many emsrkable escapes of Iris-
oners, but it is doubtful if any of
these exceed in ingenuity the escape
of Henry Eikins from British prison
ship during the Revolutionary War.
Henry was one of the first to take up
arms 10 the defense of liberty. He had
been in a number of fiercely contested
battles, and he had endured the long
marches and all the bitter privations that
we're the lot of many of our country's
early heroes, but he bad escaped wounds,
sickness and capture till ono ill-starred
day, when he aud number of others
we're taken prisoners while reconnoiter.
ing. This occurred in the neigh hborhood
of New York, and as there was British
prison ship lying at anchor in the harbor
there, the prisoners were forthwith hur-
ried on board for safe-keeping.
AS is we'll known, the British authOri-
ties we're not the most lenient of wardens,
and the prisoners under their charge
we're subj acted to much harsh treatment,
and many we're the privations which they
endured. Henry Eikins, at any rate, did
not thrive on prison fare. He rapidly
lost health and spirits, and became
emaoiated almost to skeleton.
He managed, after much MAI @uvering,
to get a letter to his family. who lived
near Cape Cod, smugo led from the ship.
In the letter he advised them of his fate,
and babe them farewell, as he never
expected to survive the sickness superin-
duced by the horrors of his imprison-
ment This letter reached it's destination
and, after long period of painful uncer-
tainjy, during which no further tidiDgs
reached them, his mourning family gave
up all hope aud resigned themselves to
thinking of him as one dead.
In the meantime Henry was still in the
flesh and on board the same prison.
Several changes had taken place and the
evils of his condition had been somewhat
mitigsted. Among the new guards was
one ho, for some reasons, manifested
friendly interest in Henry. This interest
the prisoner turned to good account, and
i1 finally became the medium of his
escape.
Among the various provisions that
conspicuous item. 1t was carried on
board in large barrels. When the barrels
we're emptied of their contents they were
used as receptacles for refuse matter OF
various kinds. The barrels thus filled
were then carted off the ship to the
wharf and there dumped, to be disposed
of as suited the wharfmaster.
Now Henry, after noticing the disposi.
tion of the barrels, conceived very bold
scheme, which he conf led gradually
to his friend, the guard, whose private
sympatl les were, after all, largely Ameri'
can.
The plan WAS this: Henry, in his
| emaciated condition, and imbued with
the passionate desire to reach his own
that he could manage to stow himself
away 10 one of the barrels " hich were to
be carted off the ship. 1t is needless to
relate the various arguments au appeals
he utei to induce the friendly guard to
con-: i've at the plo'. Suffice it to say that
he finally accomplished his desire, and
upon the day that the latest supply of
refuse barrels was to be taken away
Henry was slowed away in uncomforta-
bly, close quarters 10 the largest of the
barrels, and over him was spread sutn
cient debris to completely hide him.
Almost smothered, cramped in every
limb and trembling with apprehension,
| Henry awaited the fateful moment when
the barrel should be rolled away with it's
companion and taken to the wharf.
His feelings were beyond expression
when the feat was accomplished and he
was l,ft on the wharf in comparative
freedom in his barrel. He did not dare
emerge till night dropped her conoealing
| mantle upon Lin. Then, with the
| utmost precaution. he slowly came forth.
| Fate favored him and he managed to
steal away unobserved like a frightentd d
shadow.
Footsore, weary, wasted to a skeleton,
but upheld by his longing to be with his
loved ones again. he at last reached his
own homestead. Without ceremony be
opened the door, W. slsed in and presented
himself to his amazed family. For q
time it was almost impossible to convince
| them that it was not his ghost returned to
| earth. for they had long since given him
up for dead. However, it was with joy
they at length were persu AIDED Of the
happy trutb. Henry was nursed and
cared for in the tenderest and best OF
ways; but the sufferipgs he had under
| gone had completely undermined his con.
| stitution and he never rallied from them.
He had his hearts desire, though, f,r he
| died at peace in the bosom of his family.
Susie NJ Best in Sunday School Visitor.