"So far as the feasibility of the attempt is concerned," observed
Harry, as soon as Alfred had concluded, "I think it could be
attempted. But about the result, you will have to trust to luck."

"I am aware of that," he replied. "But I do not know how the attempt
can possibly be made. The camp is so well guarded, that an attempt to
escape is almost hopeless of success."

"Pshaw! If you are determined to go, I see nothing to prevent your
making the attempt. If it even fails, the most that will be done to
you by the Federals is closer confinement."

"I do not care much about that risk," he replied. "My desire is to
form some plan of escape. Can you devise one by which I can get away?"

"That is a difficult task," said Harry. "But as we are of the same
desire, I suppose something must be done. What do you say about
digging a tunnel, and escaping by that route?"

"That is a very good idea; but it will take too long," replied Alfred.
"Besides which, what are we to do with the dirt that is dug up?"

"I never thought of that," he answered. "But now that you have
reminded me of it, I do not believe the plan will suit. Some other
must be devised, but what it is to be, I cannot, for the life of me,
imagine."

"What do you say to scaling the walls?" asked Alfred.

"A very good idea it would be, if we had anything to scale them with,"
he replied.

"Suppose we tear up our blankets and make a rope of them."

"How will you attach the rope to the wall?" asked Harry.

"We can easily get a hook of wire and throw it over. It will be
certain to catch," he replied.

"Very likely," observed Harry, drily, "and make such confounded noise,
that the first thing we heard after, it would be a Minie ball
whistling past our ears; or should it catch without making any noise,
the chances are that, when one of us ascends, it will be to meet the
burly form of some Dutch sentinel traversing the walk. The idea is not
feasible; so we must think of something else."

"I do not know what to think," replied Alfred; "and the probability
is, that if I even did, you would find some objection to its
performance."

"That is true," answered Harry, laughing, "and I accept the reproach
in the spirit it is given. It will never do for us to be raising
objections to every plan offered, for that will not hasten our
escape."

"Then think of something else, and I will acquiesce, no matter how
extravagant it may be," said Alfred. "I am tired of this cursed