The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-03-17
CHAPTER XVII.
The One Path of Escape.


There was absolutely nothing for
me to do but wait, but it was hard to
| judge time. The noise of the camp
without was some guide, but, as the
evening heightened band began play
| ing overhead, and | could hear the
! sound of feet on the floor above. Evil
IDENTIFY dance was in progress in the
big courtroom. and for the moment
my heart seemed to stop beating in
sudden fear that my plan of escape
| for that night was blocked.
1t was the big fireplace opening into
this room through which | had hoped
to emerge, but | could never accom-
plish such hope amidst those dancers.
And they might keep up their dancing
to SO late an hour as to give me no
opportunity before dawn to find a
place in which to elude search Yet
the noise was in my favor, if ! could
only be assured the chimney was
wide enough above to permit of my
finally reaching the roof Once there
| would discover a way down. The
grim incongruity of that merry party
dOofOJ ddASinS lduS uIuS Ill LILO
bright light, and of myself in that
black cell below. waiting the certainty
of death the next morning, served to
steel my resolve.
| could hear nothing of the guard In
the corridor, although l listened in
tently, my ear against the iron door.
during a lull in that babel overhead.
1t was hardly likely another inspection
would be made, at least not until the
sentries were again relieved, probably
at midnight To my JUG gment this
would allow me nearly three hours in
which to make my effort--and surely
half that time should prove sufficient |
The band burst into harmony again
polka l remember-and | tore free /
the loosened support. 1t made an |
ely bit of iron. we'll adapted for the |
purpose | had in mind. Not only could |
it be utilized as a lever, but it was |
no mean weapon for use in emergency |
1t must have required fifteen or
twenty minutes to break the iron
sheathing edge loose SO as TO insert
the point of my wedge. The bar. once
furnished the necessary lev
erage, forcing the iron to yield about
the rivet heads. ] waited between the
dances, recruiting strained muscles
and listening anxiously for any alarm
ing sound in the corridor only to
spring again feverishly to the work
ing.
The barrier yielded inch by inch
until | forced fully half the iron cur
tain backward, jamming it against the.
wall, and thus revealed the black
opening into the chimney The open
ing which | had uncovered was suf
ficiently large to permit the squeez
ing through of my body. and. once
within the chimney. | found ample
space in which to explore.
| could see nothing, and was com.
elled to rely entirely upon the sense
If touch Iron bars had been left on
,ne side the chimney, forming an
Irregular ladder. My cropping hands
coated these. and by their aid | began
o climb slowly upward. At the level E
II the first story ] came upon a pro-
ection of rock, possibly six or eight i
inches wide, on which ! found secure ?
oothold. and was thus able to regain
reath and strength for renewal of 8
he struggle. ! was crouched opposite
he oldtime fireplace, and the band. o
laying noisily, was within very few a
Get of where hid. However. not a 7
lean of light was visible. and 1t was u
ONE time before located the open.
lg which had been left for stove RI
ipe. Even then ! could feel no pipe.
ut, as extended my arm, finger b.
urst through the paper which had Il
cen pasted across the entrance. and c,
glow of radiance .ilumined the black pi
alls about me. pt
| waited. motionless, holding hay III
reath in fear that some eye might III
ave witnessed the fearing OF the pa 10
sr; but there WAS no cessation OF "
1ise. no evidence OF discovery Ar IL
lied by a temptation to view theN Dc