Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/252

 236 Southern Historical Society Papers.

the removal of the bricks until all the walls had been opened. Lights were needed, since it was totally dark below the casemates. Can- dles were secured through a fellow prisoner, whose home was in Sa- vannah, Ga. These were thrust through with a stick, which was placed in openings made in the cement, and moved forward as the work progressed.

A CAT FOR DINNER.

One night after taps, feeling weary and hungry after returning from my arduous task, as I entered the casemate from the basemen* below, my eye caught sight of a large cat that seemed to be enjoy- ing itself under the stove. There were, perhaps, as many as forty- seven or fifty of these cats making their home in the fort. The thought came quickly " I will prepare one of these for dinner to- morrow." I had never tasted cat's flesh, but I fancied it might be palatable, especially to hungry men.

Immediately I caught the cat, held it in my left hand by the back of its neck, and with a stick held in the right hand, soon dispatched it with a few strong blows. It was carefully dressed, parboiled, and baked in a pan in our stove. While I \\as thus engaged, the officer of the day made his appearance, and asked me what I was doinp\ I suppose his astonishment prompted the question. I replied I was killing a cat, and when he inquired what I intended to do with it, I said: " Eat it," and invited him to dine with our mess next day.

He declined with thanks, and at the same time expressed his sym- pathy, and regretted that the prisoners had to resort to such means to satisfy hunger.

The next day, while we were in the midst of our feast, an envelope, without address, was brought to our casemate and handed to one of the mess, who promptly said: " This is not intended for me; Lieu- tenant George killed the cat." Receiving the envelope from his hands, I had evidence that the communication was meant for me, as it bore the picture of a man holding a cat by the neck in his left hand, with a stick of wood raised in the right, as if with the purpose of slaying his victim. All laughed and enjoyed the joke, though not more than they enjoyed the savory roast.

HOPE OF ESCAPE.

To go back to the story of the work, six weeks passed before an opening was made through all the walls to the basement just under