t he had overheard the whole of their dialogue. Soon
after the departure of the first sentinel, his successor, Cowlson,
seemed to consider it of very little importance to make his rounds
with much diligence, and to be more intent on protecting himself from
the rain, which began to fall, than to perform his duty. He,
therefore, after a few turns, ensconced himself as comfortably as
possible on the lee side of the building during the violence of the
storm, taking advantage of occasional intermissions to resume his
walk. The stranger waited until the little vigilance of the sentinel
was relaxed, and, noting exactly the place where he had bestowed
himself, stole noiselessly back to a group of three or four persons.
Here a whispered conversation was carried on until the rain began to
pour more violently, when, as if they thought it a favorable moment
for their enterprise, the whole party began to move forward in Indian
file--that is to say, following one another in a line--led by the man
who had overheard the conversation of the soldiers. Such was the noise
made by the falling drops, and so dark the night, that they had
approached close to the sentry before he became aware of any one's
presence. An accidental slipping of one of the men betrayed them, and,
presenting his piece, he demanded the countersign.

"The sling of David," was the reply, and the sentry dropped the breech
of the musket on the earth. He had hardly done so before he was
violently seized. A strong hand grasped his throat; another was
applied to his mouth; his piece was wrested from him, and, disarmed
and unable to utter a cry, he was hurled to the ground. His hands and
feet were then bound; a gag inserted into his mouth; his coat taken
off and muffled around his head to stifle the least sound, and he was
then removed to a little distance behind the building, and one left to
guard him and give notice of any approach. The rest of the party next
proceeded to the door of the cabin occupied by the jailer Bars. A
light was burning inside, but it was impossible, through the oiled
paper, to see anything within. He who appeared to be the leader,
having disposed his men on each side of the door, rapped upon it. No
answer was returned, and it was not until after repeated rappings, and
the patience of the strangers was becoming exhausted, and they had
begun to consult respecting bursting open the door, when some one was
heard moving and growling at the disturbance of h