Page:The Overland Monthly Volume 5 Issue 3.djvu/5



east course, cross two rivers, and then, by turning to the east and south, gain the York River, where we might expect to find the picket-boats of our fleet. Failing this, we could cross to the peninsula, and enter the lines of the army at Williamsburg. This last plan was adopted.

The "prison" end of the city of Richmond being quite narrow, our rapid strides soon took us across into the vacant lots and straggling lanes of the outskirts. Half-past one o'clock, and not a soul to dispute our right of way. To be sure, every cur in the country yelped and barked as we passed along, but it was evidently no signal of alarm to their owners, for they did not trouble themselves as to the cause of the noise. In the: fields, at last, north-east by the heavens, plowed land, rail-fences, ditches, and much mud by land.

We grew exceedingly bold, as if all obstacles had been conquered, but received a substantial warning at finding ourselves suddenly in the midst of some very extensive hospital-grounds, covered with the long, white buildings or wards, too well known throughout the whole country. The lesson was a good one, and we proceeded with more care afterward. An hour more, and the lights of the city had disappeared.

Every furlong that night was worth a mile the next, and a league the third: we went on, therefore, at a great pace. Suddenly there appeared, but a few rods in advance, and walking toward us, two men! Running was out of the question. Force must be met by cunning, for Nature's weapons were all we possessed. But when on the point of meeting, one of them broke for the woods, flying through the brambles like a madman. The other one met us, and, as he passed, one of the party recognized the huge mustache and flowing locks of C——, the Connecticut Captain.

On hearing his name called, he stopped,

and mutual recognition followed. His companion, deaf to the repeated assurance that we were friends, continued to pursue his solitary journey through the underbrush, until the faint sound of his struggles made further effort on our part quite useless. It then appeared that the Captain had escaped, with a brother officer, through the tunnel, but they had lost their way, through mistaking the North Star.

After explaining the mysterious process by which the Polar Star may always be found in a clear night, we wished him good-night, and strode on. But, soon, rapid footsteps were heard behind, and, panting for want of breath, the Captain stood beside us. He could not find his companion. I do not remember that he said more; but his silence was an eloquent appeal to our sympathies. We took him into our party, remembering, with some bitterness, that each had left behind in the prison some one dear friend or companion; because, in justice to each other, we dared not increase our number.

Daylight came on so rapidly as to almost surprise us in the open country, and we hastily sought a hiding- place. Forcing our way into a thicket, we threw ourselves upon the ground, and were soon asleep; but only to wake again in a few moments, shaking with the cold. One swallow of brandy was here served to each man.

The rising sun looked in upon a miserable, shivering group of men, huddled closely together for such warmth as each one could spare his neighbor; but the blessed day had come at last, and we could make a fire.

Such a /ittle fire it was—hardly more than a spark, with dry boughs and twigs enough at our feet for a barbecue—but we feared to use fuel too freely; and, grateful even for a little, crouched over the tiny flame, blackening our faces and hands with the smoke, which we gladly