The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-06-27
CHAPTER xxi (Continuedl

CHAPTER XXI (ContinueG.
~ Ut neither of them, nor the ser
x geant, who came, too, and look
ed in at the door, noticed on
singular ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
that the prisoners shifting of tn
lantern on the table had SO places
at least that when he strucl
his forehead with his hands the motion
hung shadow-huge, magnified by thu
proximity of the nght-acrosS~the un
curtatned, black window space. CoulC
they have peeped beneath those restless
hands, suspicion would have beer
reused at once For his bloodshot eyes
shaded from their observation, were
casting quick sidelong glances Of fierce
Intensity toward the window.
Something far more momentous thar
the troubled gestures OF a half-delirious
man was taking place.
The hour was then about $50 o'clock
Full night had fallen upon the vic.
torious and eXultant city; the cold rair
had begun to shift 10 snow, and the
wind whirled white fakes about the
dark, deserted buildings of the whole
sale district. From the window of the
old engine house there was visible
across a confused huddle of black
roofs and chimneyS, to which the snow
was trying to elm. a large warehouse
two blocks away, looming beside the
water front. 1t appeared deserted ex-
Cept for the glimmer of a solitary light
like a watchman's lantern, in the top
most window.
Upon that far-aff glimmer the pris-
Oner's eyes had long been stealthily
fixed. for the warehouse. he knew, was
Aaron Silber's, and there his only hope
Of rescue lay. AS he had watched it,
shading his eyes, he had seen the little
light vanish, come, and vanish. Three
times 1t came and went. Then after a
momentary interval it appeared three
times again. 1t was the Jew trying to
signal.
How was Grigg to reply? His brain
still heavy, his head aching from the
blow that had felled him, his hands
and feet bound. his breast menaced by
a loaded gun and bayonet, a sentinel
watching his every motion, a squad of
soldiers within call instantly-how was
he to reply?
He had chosen means that were SIM
rlicity itself. The sheer audacity OF
his act baffled suspicion. Upon dis
covering that his friends were alert
and anxious to help him. he had be-
gun TO shift the lantern about the table,
till he got it SO placed that by raising
his hands to his forehead he threw a
Ehadow of his fists and arms, across the
window. Such was the motive behind
his seemingly nonsensical trifling. While
the shadow was across the window,
necessarily the light of his lantern was
shut off from the distant watchers.
Thus he could make his light appear
and disappear for longer or shorter in
tervals.
Once sure Of this, Grigg had begun to
strike his forehead in the troubled. IT,
regular manner which. to his guards,
indicated only wandering mind. 1t
amused them to watch his conduct But
while they were finding anus ement, he
was telegraphing. SLIDER, he remember
ed knew the Morse code.
quarter of an hour later, when
Lieutenant letter, having learned of
the complete and final discontinue Of
the enemy, came back to the engine
house. he went straightway to the lit
tie room to satisfy himself that his
prisoner was still securely fettered.
appeared sound slumber, much more
natural sleep than on the previous
night. He was slouched in the chair
with his head bowed forward on his
wrists, which, resting on the edge of
the table. formed sort Of pillow for
his face. His breathing was deep and
heavy, troubled now and then by a
muffled half-snore.
letter shook him by the shoulder
once, intending to try the knots of the
ropes. but as the prisoner did not
arouse, and only muttered in his sleep,
he decided to leave him thus. After all.
Grigg asleep was less likely to devise
schemes of escape than Grigg awake.
When the first relief came on again
at o'clock for its two hours tour of
duty, and the relieved third relief
stacked arms in the guard-room,
Romnolent quiet settled down inside the
forage or food to the troops in the
trenches occasionally rumbled noisily
By outside Lieutenant letter, who
meant to spend another wakeful night
and was feeling heavy-eyed from his
previous vigil. decided to take short
nap. Accordingly he rolled himself into
a blanket in corner of the guard
room. and began at once to emit sonor-
Gus bliss from his weary nose.
Several of the relieved watch imi-
tated his example. Others lounged at
the windows, chewing and splitting, and
watching the loaded carts go past.
Three or four had started a game Of
poker at the other side Of the room.
prisoner was a long, sinewy, slouching
private about thirty years of age-one
of those slab-sided, awkwardly active
fellows from North Carolina, VINO poss-
ess unlimited self-confidence.. take all
situations coolly, and do efficient serV-
ice everywhere. To pass the time COM
fortably he had filled and lighted a
cob-pipe, and tilted his chair against
the wall. But his listless attitude indi-
Gated no abatement of watchfulness.
The stock of his gun FAY upon his knee, |
the forefinser of his right hand lightly
touched the trigger, and the muzzle. |
with glistening bayonet attached, rested
on the table. pointing at the bowed
head of the prisoner. Hardly for an in |
slant did his quietly quizzical eye-the
eve Of one who will not hesitate to |
shoot upon occasion-waver from that |
bowed head before him. The flaring |
lantern on the table flung distorted
shadows around the dingy walls.
Some time had elapsed when, from |
far down the street. there grew upon |
the ear the tumult of a runaway team
a shouting, galloping, and rumbling. |
What soldiers were awake and not on
dutv rushed with one accord to the
windows to view the cause of the ex-
among them the corporal at
the doorway of the little room.
The noise rapidly increased from the
direction of Wharf street. 1t swelled
suddenly to full volume as the runaway
team swept around the corner into
SIGHT What the observers saw was a
large hay-cart, piled with hay which
was evidently intended for provender
at the Northern trenches. The team.
a pair of snorting, frenzied mules, SEEM
ed to have gotten almost entirely be-
49, ,oy,fyoI If their driver. a stout