Philip weekly review and Bad River news. [volume] (Philip, Stanley County, S.D.) 1912-1918, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER XVII.
The One Path Of Escape.

CnAF En- AVIJs
The One Path Of Escape.
There was absolutely nothing for
me to do but wait, but 1t was hard to
Judge time. The noise Of the camp
without was some guide. but. a. the
evening heightened, band began play.
ing overhead. and l could hear the
sound of feet on the floor above. Evil.
IDENTIFY a dance was in progress in the
big courtroom. and for the moment
my heart seemed to stop beating In
a 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 I 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
place In which to elude search. Yet
the noise was in my favor. ii could
only be assured the chimney was
wide enough above to permit of my
firally reaching the roof. Once there
| would discover q way down. The
grim incongruity of that merry party
above. dancing and laughing in the
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 judgment 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
a polka, l remember-and | tore free
the loosened support. 1t made an
ugly bit of iron, well adapted for the
purpose had in mind. Not only could
1t be utilized as lever, but It was
no mean weapon for use in emergency.
It 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
inserted. 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
the moment tho band resumed play.
ing.
The barrier yielded inch by inch.
until forced fully half the iron cur.
tain backward, jamming 1t against the
wall. and thus revealed the black
opening into the chimney. The open
ing which l had uncovered was sui.
fciently 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.
PEELED to rely entirely upon the sense
Of touch. Iron bars had been left on
one side the chimney. forming an
irregular ladder. My cropping hands
located these. and by their aid I began
to climb slowly upward. At the level
Of the nrst story I came upon . pro-
lection Of rock. possibly six or eight
inches wide. on which ! found secure
foothold. and was thus able to regain
breath and strength for . renewal Of
the struggle. was crouched opposite
the oldtime fireplace, and the hand,
playing noisily. vas within Q very few
feet Of where ! hid. However. not .
gleam Of light was visible. and Il was
some time before I located the opsa.
Ing Which hsd beea lett for q stove.
pipe. Even then I could feel 40 pipe,
but. - ! extended my arm. Q anger
bsrst throush tie paper which ha1
oeeo pasted aeross tbe entranco, an1
. Slnw Of Sa1lanco illnmlnod tho block
walls sbout ne.
waited. motiealsss. holdisg ny
beeatA = ter tAn3 some evs night|
Aavo witnessed Ne tearing G tAo =,
Do9: ut there was % eeooaA1eo q
|0o1DA - evoonnoo = l1oeoRogy. -
G111e1 ~ . te001a11oo . vtou -