that several of the prisoners had been
armed with hammers, files, &c. They threw us some of these in at the
windows. We were then informed that several members of the Commune
had arrived at La Roquette. I cannot say whether Ferre was among
them. We were taken back to our cellars, where we expected to be put
to death every minute. At about four o'clock the cells of the common
prisoners were opened, and they escaped, shouting 'Vive la Commune!'
Our keeper himself had disappeared, and a turnkey presently opened
our cells, and recommended us to run away. We were afraid this was a
trap, but as it might afford a chance we determined to avail
ourselves of it. Those amongst us who had plain clothes hurried them
on, and I must say the gaolers behaved admirably in this emergency;
they lent clothes to such of us as had none, and we were thus all
enabled to escape. As for myself, after wandering for about an hour
in the streets about the prison, and being unable to find shelter
anywhere, and afraid of being murdered in the streets, I determined
to return to La Roquette. As I reached it I met the archbishop's
secretary, two priests, and two gendarmes, who, like myself, had
been driven to return to the prison. One of the keepers told us that
the safest for us was the sick ward. We dressed up in the hospital
uniform and hid in bed. At eight in the evening the federates, who
were not aware that we had escaped, came back and called on the
gaolers to produce us. They were told we had gone; fortunately they
believed it. On Sunday the troops came in, and I left La Roquette
for good this time. In reply to a further question the witness said
that as the hostages marched past his windows, on their way to
execution, he saw President Bonjean raising his hands, and heard him
say, '_Mon Dieu, mon Dieu!_'"

XIII. (Page 82.)

URBAIN.

Urbain, formerly head master of an academy, was elected to the Commune,
and became, in virtue of his former office of teacher, a member of the
Committee of Instruction, retaining at the same time his office of
mayor. He finally installed himself in his mayoralty about the middle of
April, with his sister and young son, and gave protection there to his
mistress, Leroy, who had great influence over him, and who used to
frequent the committees and clubs. At the mayoralty of the 7th
Arrondissement this w