y, of Michigan, and with him Major Terrence Clark, of
Illinois, who had gone through the tunnel with the first party that went
out, and were now passing the day in this secluded place. The Colonel
was one of my intimate friends, and when he recognized me he jumped to
his feet and threw his arms around me in an ecstasy of delight.

By this time the whole population had been informed of the escape, and
the country was alive with pursuers. We could distinctly hear the
reveille of the rebel troops, and the hum of their camps. Thus
reinforced, we agreed to travel in company. It was arranged that one of
the four should precede, searching out the way in the darkness, and
giving due notice of danger.

At dark we left our hiding place, and cautiously proceeded on our way.
Late at night we crossed the railroad running from Richmond to White
House, our second objective point. Here Colonel West saw a sentinel
sitting close by the railroad, asleep, with his gun resting against his
shoulder. Just before daybreak we went into a pine woods, after
traveling a distance of more than twenty miles, and, weary and tired,
we lay down to rest.

The morning (Friday) broke clear and beautiful, but with its bright
light came the bugle notes of the enemy's cavalry, who were in the pines
close by us. We instantly arose and fled away at the top of our speed,
expecting every moment to hear the crack of the rifle, or the sharp
command to halt. We struck a road and about faced to cross it, the only
time that we looked back. We pursued our rapid step until we came to a
dense chaparral, and into this we threaded our way until we reached an
almost impenetrable jungle. Crawling into the center, we threw ourselves
upon the ground completely exhausted. A bird flew into the branches
above us as we lay upon our backs, and the words burst from my lips:
"Dear little bird! Oh, that I had your wings!"

As soon as friendly darkness again returned, we moved forward, weary,
hungry, and footsore, still governed in our course by the North Star.
During all this toilsome way, but few words passed between us, and these
generally in low whispers. So untiring was the search, and so thoroughly
alarmed and watchful were the population, that we felt that our safety
depended upon a bare chance. Again making our way from wood to wood, and
avoiding farm houses as best we might, till the light of another morning
(Saturday), we retired to cover in the shade of a thick forest.