The Trials of the Soldier's Wife

  CHAPTER ELEVENTH.

  THE ATTEMPTED ESCAPE.

  We must now return to Alfred, whom we left in a disconsolate mood atCamp Douglas, with his friend trying to cheer his spirits. But hecould think of nothing else but his absent wife, until at last hedetermined to attempt an escape. The idea once in his mind could notbe dismissed. He, therefore, informed Harry of his intention, andasked if he thought it feasible, or likely to result in success.

  "So far as the feasibility of the attempt is concerned," observedHarry, as soon as Alfred had concluded, "I think it could beattempted. 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 attemptcan possibly be made. The camp is so well guarded, that an attempt toescape is almost hopeless of success."

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

  "I do not care much about that risk," he replied. "My desire is toform 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 samedesire, I suppose something must be done. What do you say aboutdigging 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 havereminded me of it, I do not believe the plan will suit. Some othermust 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 becertain 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 ballwhistling 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 theburly form of some Dutch sentinel traversing the walk. The idea is notfeasible; so we must think of something else."

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

  "That is true," answered Harry, laughing, "and I accept the reproachin the spirit it is given. It will never do for us to be raisingobjections to every plan offered, for that will not hasten ourescape."

  "Then think of something else, and I will acquiesce, no matter howextravagant it may be," said Alfred. "I am tired of this cursedprison, and intend to get away by some means or other."

  "It is all very good to talk about getting away," said Harry. "For thematter of that, I am as anxious to leave as you are, but in the nameof wonder, how are we going to manage it?"

  "That is the very thing I desire to consult you about. We certainlywill never escape, unless we make the attempt; but in what manner weare to attempt it, is exactly what I desire to know."

  "What do you say to bribing one of the sentinels?" asked Harry.

  "Where will we get the means from?" inquired Alfred. "I have someConfederate Treasury notes, but they will not be any temptation to aYankee."

  "Leave me to find the means," replied Harry. "I have a fine goldwatch, and about seventy dollars in gold. These will be sufficient, Ithink, to attempt the cupidity of any Dutchman in the Yankee army."

  "And how do you propose offering the bribe?" Alfred inquired.

  "I shall look out for the first chance to speak to the sentinel at thegate, some time during the day, and will make the necessarypreparations to escape to-night, if the Yankee will accept my offer."

  "That will do very well," observed Alfred, "There is one thing,however, I must remind you of. It will not do to offer the sentinelall your gold, for we will require money to pay our way intoTennessee."

  "Do you never fear that," replied Harry. "I will be certain to reserveenough funds for our expenses. It does not cost much at any time totravel through these Northern States."

  "Well, I trust to you to make all the necessary arrangements," repliedAlfred. "I am determined not to remain in this place, with my mind sodisturbed about my wife and children. If I can only reach theConfederate lines safely, I will have no difficulty in hearing fromNew Orleans."

  "I will make every effort to facilitate an escape," remarked Harry;"and if my penetrating qualities do not deceive me, there is asentinel at the gate to-day, who would not be averse to taking abribe, even if it permits a "rebel" to escape. Cheer up, my friend,"he continued. "I will guarantee that your wife and children are allwell and happy, except a natural anxiety on your account."

  Alfred made no reply, and the two friends shortly after separated.

  Harry kept an assiduous watch for an opportunity to speak with thesentinel. The time for the man to remain on guard expired, however,without any favorable chance presenting itself. He was, therefore,compelled to wait until the evening, when the same sentinel would beagain on guard, before he could attempt to bribe him. At four o'clockhe was posted, and after some hesitation, Harry determined to addresshim. Walking up as soon as he perceived no one near the man, he calledout to him.

  "Vot to deuce do you vant? you rebel," asked the sentinel in a broadDutch accent.

  "Will you let me come a little nearer?" Harry inquired, perceivingthat the distance between the guard and himself too great for aconversation.

  "Vot do you vant to come a leetle nearer for?" asked the sentinel.

  "I want to talk to you," he replied, making a motion of his hand toindicate that he wished to converse in secret.

  The sentinel, looking carefully around to be certain that no one wasnear at hand who could perceive him, beckoned to Harry to approach.The young man went forward cautiously, as the numerous sentinelsaround the wall were likely to perceive him, and would not hesitate tofire if they imagined he was about to attempt an escape. As soon as hereached the sentinel, he made known his wishes, and ended by offeringthe man his watch and forty dollars in gold if he would permit himselfand his friend to pass the gate at night. At the same time he promisedthe man he would take all the responsibility in the event of detectionor re-capture.

  The sentinel listened attentively, and at first appeared unwilling toreceive the bribe, but upon Harry representing to him that there wasno chance of his agency in the escape being discovered, he finallyconsented to receive it. It was, therefore, arranged between them,that at twelve o'clock that night the two prisoners should start. Thesignal was to be a faint whistle, which would ultimate to the guardthat they were there, if it was answered they should advance, but ifnot they should return, as his silence would either indicate that hewas not alone, or that he was not on his post. Everything having beenamicably arranged between them, Harry promised to pay the bribe assoon as they had reached the gate. This the fellow demurred to atfirst, but as Harry was determined, not to pay over the watch andforty dollars, until the hour of their departure, he was compelled toassent.

  On Harry's return to his tent, he found Alfred reading a Yankeepictorial newspaper.

  "Well," he remarked, looking up from his paper as soon as Harryentered.

  "Everything progresses finely," replied Harry.

  "Have you been able to speak to the sentinel?" he asked.

  "I have seen him, and made all the necessary arrangements," Harryreplied.

  "And when will we leave," Alfred asked.

  "To-night at twelve is the time fixed between us," he replied. "Thefellow appeared unwilling at first, but a little persuasion with asight at the watch and money, was too much for his nature, and heyielded to my wishes."

  "Then everything goes on well, if the fellow does not play us false,"Alfred
remarked.

  "That is a risk we are bound to run," replied Harry. "I think thefellow means to be honest, if a man can be honest who agrees to allowa prisoner to escape, who is placed under his charge."

  "Did you inform him there were two of us who desired to leave," askedAlfred.

  "Yes," was the reply; "I would never have bothered to escape and runthe risk of re-capture and harsh treatment, did not you desire toleave this place, and the trip could as well be made with you asotherwise."

  Alfred pressed his friend's hand warmly, as he replied. "Thank you,Harry, I trust I will be able to return the kindness you have shownme, at some future and more favorable time."

  "Poh, poh!" he replied. "Don't speak of it. The kindness has been paidfor long ago," pointing to his wound as he spoke.

  "I expect we may as well make preparations to leave," remarked Alfred,after a moment's pause.

  "Preparations!" echoed his friend, "What in the name of all that isglorious, do you require any preparations for?" and then, he addeddryly, "there is one thing certain, my trunk (?) is already packed,although I don't know if yours is."

  "A truce to joking about trunks," replied Alfred, "but seriously youmust be aware that we cannot leave here without being dressed incitizens clothes."

  "The thunder!" exclaimed Harry, "are you going to raise any moreobjections?"

  "No," he replied, "but it is absolutely necessary that we shall beapparelled in different clothes to those of a soldier."

  "I think we can get a couple of suits to borrow from the officers, buthow I will get them, without their knowing our intention to escape, isa matter of much difficulty. If they should once know it, the wholecrowd will desire to leave with us."

  "That would be unreasonable on their part," replied Alfred. "They mustbe aware that every man cannot get away at the same time, and todesire or attempt such a thing would be to ensure the re-capture ofevery man."

  "Well, I will start now on the borrowing expedition, and by somesubterfuge, be saved the necessity of informing any person of ourintention."

  Having moved off as he spoke, and proceeding to the tent of a brotherofficer, succeeded in borrowing a citizens' coat and pants withoutexciting any suspicion of his intended escape. At the next place hewent to, a few remarks were made, but upon his informing the Captainto whom he applied, that he desired to have his uniform renovated, andhad no change of clothing while that was being done. The citizens'clothes were cordially loaned, and he returned to Alfred with a joyousheart.

  "What luck have you had?" enquired Alfred as soon as he returned.

  "See for yourself," was the reply of Harry, as he threw down the coatsand pants.

  "Then everything needed is procured," he observed.

  "Yes," replied Harry. "We must now mix with the other prisoners, as ifnothing was transpiring in our minds, like an attempt to escape. Itwill be no use keeping away from them, as it is likely to excitesuspicion."

  The two friends left the tent and proceeded to where a group ofprisoners were seated. Their appearance was greeted with cheers, asHarry was a universal favorite among both officers and men, on accountof his lively and genial temper, combined with a fine voice formusic--an accomplishment that with soldiers endears, and makes afavorite of any person possessing it. He was soon called upon for asong, and in accordance with the request commenced a song, and soonthe rich and clear voice of the young man rang out on the air of thesoft twilight. He sang of home, and as each word fell withdistinctness on the ears of the soldiers, who grouped around him, eachheart throbbed with emotion, and each mind wandered back to thedistant land, where, in the mansion, or in the little cottage, lovedones there dwelt, pining for those who were now prisoners in a foreigncountry.

  The hour of nine having arrived, the soldiers dispersed to theirrespective quarters, and soon after the command "lights out" wasuttered in stentorian notes. Long and anxiously the two friendsremained lying on their bunks in the tent, awaiting the hour oftwelve. Each moment seemed an hour to Alfred Wentworth, whose mind waswrought up to a pitch of excitement, almost unendurable. Several timeshe rose from his bed and paced the tent. At last the long wished forhour arrived. Harry who had been smoking all the night, looked at hiswatch by the faint light the fire of his segar emitted, and perceivedthat it was only five minutes for twelve. Crossing over to the bunk onwhich Alfred was lying, he whispered: "It is time." Silently they puton the citizens clothes borrowed in the evening, and left the tent.The night had changed from the pleasant, starry evening to a black anddismal gloom. Heavy clouds covered the skies, giving every indicationof rain. The night was just such a one for an escape, and although thedarkness was so intense, that it was impossible for the eye topenetrate a distance of five paces, both felt that their chance ofescape was accelerated.

  "Give me your hand," whispered Harry, as soon as they had left thetent.

  "Do you know the direct way to the gate," asked Alfred,

  "Yes," he replied, "cease speaking now and follow me. The leastwhisper may be heard, and then our attempt will be foiled."

  Grasping the hand of his friend, Alfred followed him, and they movedwith noiseless tread toward the gate. As soon as he descried the faintlight of the sentinel's lamp near him, Harry stopped, and stoopingdown gave a faint whistle. For some time no answer was returned. Thetwo friends remained in almost breathless suspense awaiting thesignal. At last it was returned, and moving forward, they reached thegate.

  "Here," whispered Harry to the sentinel, as he handed him the watchand money.

  The man raised the little lantern near him, and looked at the bribe tosee that it was all right. "Pass on," he said.

  As Harry and his friend passed the gate, the former perceived severalforms flit across the darkness, and a suspicion of treachery instantlyflashed through his mind.

  "We are betrayed," he whispered to Alfred.

  "No matter, let us push boldly forward," was the reply.

  They had not moved ten paces before the command "Halt" given.

  "Push on!" exclaimed Alfred, darting forward.

  The two friends moved on at a rapid run, when a volley of musketry wasfired at them. Harry escaped unhurt and continued running at the topof his speed, and not until he had gone a considerable distance, didhe discover that his friend was not with him. It was, however, toolate for him to turn back, and entering Chicago, he made his waythrough the city, and continued his journey.

  At the fire of the Federals, Alfred received four wounds; and sunkwithout a word to the ground. The enemy shortly after coming up foundhim insensible, and conveyed his inanimate body to the hospital. Hewas dangerously wounded, and the physicians declared there was butlittle hope of his recovery.

  Two weeks after this unfortunate occurrence, a cartel for the exchangeof prisoners was agreed upon between the Federal and Confederateauthorities, and the prisoners at Camp Douglas were transported toVicksburg. The doctors declared that Alfred was not in a state to beremoved, and was left at the hospital. His condition at that time wasvery precarious. One of the balls that had entered his body could notbe found, and the wound was kept open with the view to discoveringwhere it had lodged. His agony of mind at the failure of his attemptto escape had retarded his recovery in a great degree, and when theinformation came that the prisoners were about to be exchanged, and hewas declared unable to be removed, it added further to his detriment.A fever seized him, and for many days he remained on his bed, hoveringbetween life and death.