t them from getting wet. In fact,
all preparations were made for our journey that we could think of.

It occasionally happens that people make fools of themselves in
assisting others. Well, that is just what we did; some of us thought it
would not be right to leave the army officers behind. A vote was taken
and all were in favour of giving the army officers a chance to go with
us. They were notified and one week's time given them in which to get
ready. They were instructed to be cautious, and that we would make an
opening in their fire-place also as soon as Porter and Williams were
released. The latter were to have the first chance for their liberty.

CHAPTER XXIII

DISAPPOINTMENT AND MORE WAITING

About the second day afterward circumstances indicated that our
intention to escape was known to the officers of the guard. They would
come into our room, ostensibly for a friendly visit, but we noticed that
they were examining the windows and floor while chatting with us. Within
a foot of the building was a six-foot board fence, and that was taken
away, giving the sentry on duty a full view of our side of the walls.
Then we knew, for certain, that something was wrong. On Saturday morning
permission was obtained to have the room floor scrubbed. Everything was
piled on the table and a general housecleaning took place. All of us
then went into the yard until the floor got dry. As we anticipated, the
officer on duty went into the room during our absence and gave it a
thorough inspection, but nothing was discovered. We congratulated
ourselves upon the successful issue of our game of bluff.

Sunday night, about eight o'clock, we heard an unusual noise in the
guard-room, which sounded very much like sawing a hole in the floor.
After a while the racket ceased, and we resumed our slumbers. Suddenly
our room door was opened, Captain Sennes with several of the guards
walked in, some armed with muskets and others with lighted candles. We
were counted and reported as "all present."

"Gentlemen, I have found your hole!" was the startling announcement.

The whole affair was so ludicrous and unexpected that we began laughing.
Captain Sennes was excited, and well pleased with the idea of having
discovered our plan of escape.

"Now, gentlemen, I shall have to keep a guard in your room for the
remainder of the night."

Of course we had no objections. About three o'clock in the morning he
changed his mind and ordered us to be