ood for weeks, was greedily devoured in large
quantities, mostly raw--producing a raging thirst. The water
supply was now curtailed to a few bucketsful, but even these
few drops of the precious fluid were mostly wasted in the
_melee_ for their possession. The majority of the
contestants retired disappointed to muse on the comforts of
the Sahara Desert, and as the stories about tapping camels
recurred to them, suggestive glances were cast at the more
fortunate rivals. After a few days, conspicuous for the
sparing enjoyment of salt cod, the water supply was ordered
unlimited. An immediate 'corner' in the Newfoundland staple
took place, the stock being actively absorbed by _bona fide_
investors, who found that it bore watering with impunity.

* * * *

"'At the beginning of February, 1865, thirty boxes of
provisions, etc., from friends in the North arrived for the
prisoners. The list of owners was anxiously scanned and the
lucky possessor would not have exchanged for the capital
prize in the Havana lottery. The poor fellows of the
Seventh were among the fortunate, and from that day none
knew hunger more.

"'With the advent of the boxes came the dawn of a brighter
day. Cartels of exchange were talked about, and by the
middle of February the captives found themselves on the rail
for Richmond. The old Libby appeared much less gloomy than
on first acquaintance, the rays of hope throwing a halo
about everywhere. Many asked and obtained the liberty of the
town to lay in a supply of those fine brands of tobacco for
which Richmond is famous. In a few days the preliminaries to
exchange were completed, and on the 22d of
February--Washington's birthday--the captives also stepped
into a new life under the old flag."

"Captain Sherman, of Co. C., gives the following account:

"'Further resistence being useless, and having expressed our
willingness to surrender, we were invited into the fort. As
I stepped down from the parapet I was immediately accosted
by one of the so-called F. F. V.'s, whose smiling
countenance and extended hand led me to think I was
recognized as an acquaintance. My mind was soon disabused of
that idea, however, for the next instant he had pulled my
watch from its pocket, with the remark, 'wha