in leave from
the commandant to send me some better food, without which his remedies
would be of little use.

While he was dressing my wound he talked over various plans by which I
might effect my escape. "I believe, Barry, that a golden key will not
answer. It may be dangerous to employ it. You must endeavour to get
out there," he said, pointing up to the window. "If one of those iron
bars can be removed, you will have no difficulty in squeezing through.
I can bring a file in my instrument-case the next time, as the cutting
through those bars may prove a tedious business. But let me see! Your
bedstead is of iron, and by wrenching off the side-rail you will have
the means of working much more rapidly than with a file."

"But how shall I reach the window?" I observed.

"Turn your bedstead up on end, and you will have a ladder well fitted
for your object," he replied. "You must begin to-night, for you may not
have much time to lose. Replace it at daylight; and if you have not
succeeded, go to work again directly the jailer has left you at night.
You will find yourself, I hope, strong enough for that; and before I
come again to-morrow, I hope to have made some arrangements to
facilitate your escape after you have got out of prison. I will report
unfavourably of your case, so that your guards may probably relax their
watch over you, and not suspect you of endeavouring to escape."

After we had had a little more conversation the jailer appeared, and
inquired whether the doctor was ready to go.

"I should be glad to remain longer with my poor young patient," he
answered, shaking his head as he looked at me. "His is a desperate
case; you ought to have sent for me two weeks ago."

As may be supposed, I waited with anxiety till night came. Though I was
still somewhat weak, as soon as the jailer had gone his last round I
rose from my couch, and managed to break off a piece of iron, as the
doctor had advised. I then placed the bedstead against the wall, in a
position which enabled me to stand on it so that I could work at the
bars. Next I looked out to ascertain where the sentries were posted,
and was thankful to see that none were opposite my cell window. By
working away into the masonry, I found that I could clear one of the
bars out of its socket, both above and below. The particles of stone
and mortar which I dug out, I carefully brushed off into my hand and
placed on the ground where my bed stood. By mo