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taken out by a large screw…driver which they left behind them。
They had lowered themselves to the yard； and climbed over the
wall by means of a rope which was found in position in the
morning。 The rest of the prisoners professed an entire ignorance
of the affair； and declare that until they found the beds unoccupied
in the morning they knew nothing of the occurrence。
〃This is as it may be； but it is certain they must have been aided by
traitors outside the prison； for the rope hung loose on the outside
of the wall； and must have been held by some one there as they
climbed it。 The inside end was fastened to a stone seat； and they
were thus enabled to slide down it on the other side。 Their
uniforms were found lying at the foot of the wall； and their
accomplice had doubtless disguises ready for them。 The
authorities of the prison are unable to account for the manner in
which the turn…screw and rope were passed in to them； or how they
communicated with their friends outside。〃
Then followed the personal description of each of the fugitives；
and a request that all loyal citizens would be on the look…out for
them； and would at once arrest any suspicious character unable to
give a satisfactory account of himself。 As Vincent sat smoking in
the hall of the hotel he heard several present discussing the escape
of the prisoners。
〃It does not matter about them one way or the other；〃 one of the
speakers said。 〃They seem to be mere lads； and whether they
escape or not will not make any difference to any one。 The serious
thing is that there must be some traitors among the prison officials；
and that next time。perhaps two or three generals may escape； and
that would be a really serious misfortune。〃
〃We need not reckon that out at present；〃 another smoker said。
〃We haven't got three of the rebel generals yet； and as far as things
seem to be going on； we may have to wait some time before we
have。 They are pretty well able to take care of themselves； I
reckon。〃
〃They are good men； some of them； I don't deny；〃 the first speaker
said； 〃but they might as well give up the game。 In the spring we
shall have an army big enough to eat them up。〃
〃So I have heard two or three times before。 Scott was going to eat
them up； McClellan was going to eat them up； then Pope was
going to make an end of 'em altogether。 Now McClellan is having
a try again； but somehow or other the eating up hasn't come off yet。
It looks to me rather the other way。〃
There was an angry growl from two or three of those sitting round；
while others uttered a cordial 〃That's so。〃
〃It seems to me； by the way you put it； that you don't wish to see
this business come to an end。〃
〃That's where you are wrong now。 I do wish to see it come to an
end。 I don't want to see tens of thousands of men losing their lives
because one portion of these States wants to ride roughshod over
the other。 The sooner the North looks this affair squarely in the
face and sees that it has taken up a bigger job than it can carry
through； and agrees to let those who wish to leave it go if they like；
the better for all parties。 That's what I think about it。〃
〃I don't call that Union talk；〃 the other said angrily。
〃Union or not Union； I mean to talk it； and I want to know who is
going to prevent me？〃
The two men rose simultaneously from their chairs； and in a
second the crack of two revolvers sounded。 As if they had only
been waiting for the signal； a score of other men leaped up and
sprang at each other。 They had； as the altercation grew hotter；
joined in with exclamations of anger or approval； and Vincent saw
that although the Unionists were the majority the party of
sympathizers with the South was a strong one。 Having neither
arms nor inclination to join in a broil of this kind he made his
escape into the street the instant hostilities began； and hurried
away from the sound of shouts； oaths； the sharp cracks of pistols；
and the breaking of glass。 Ten minutes later he returned。 The
hotel was shut up； but an angry mob were assembled round the
door shouting； 〃Down with the rebels！ down with the
Secessionists！〃 and were keeping up a loud knocking at the door。
Presently a window upstairs opened； and the proprietor put out his
head。
〃Gentlemen；〃 ha said； 〃I can assure you that the persons who were
the cause of this disturbance all left the hotel by the back way as
soon as the affair was over。 I have sent for the police
commissioner； and upon his arrival he will be free to search the
house； and to arrest any one concerned in this affair。〃
The crowd were not satisfied； and renewed their knocking at the
door； but two or three minutes later an officer； with a strong body
of police； arrived on the spot。 In a few words he told the crowd to
disperse； promising that the parties concerned in the affair would
be taken un and duly deal with。 He than entered the house with
four of his men； leaving the rest to wait。 Vincent entered with the
constables； saying that he was staying at the house。 The fumes of
gunpowder were still floating about the hall； three bodies were
lying on the floor； and several men were binding up their wounds。
The police…officer inquired into the origin of the broil； and all
present concurred in saying that it arose from some Secessionists
speaking insultingly of the army of the Union。
Search was then made in the hotel； and it was found that eight
persons were missing。 One of the killed was a well…known citizen
of the town； he was the speaker on the Union side of the argument。
The other two were strangers； and no one could say which side
they espoused。 All those present declared that they themselves
were Union men； and it was supposed that the eight who were
missing were the party who had taken the other side of the
question。 The evidence of each was taken down by the police…
officer。 Vincent was not questioned； as； having entered with the
constables； it was supposed he was not present at the affair。
In the morning Vincent read in the local paper a highly colored
account of the fray。 After giving a large number of wholly
fictitious details of the fray； it went on to say：
〃The victims were Cyrus D。 Jenkins； a much…esteemed citizen and
a prominent Unionist； the other two were guests at the hotel； one
had registered as P。 J。 Moore of Vermont； the other James Harvey
of Tennessee。 Nothing is as yet known as to the persons whose
rooms were unoccupied； and who had doubtless made their escape
as soon as the affray was over； but the examination of their effects；
which will be made by the police in the morning； will doubless
furnish a clew by which they will be brought to justice。〃
Having read this； Vincent looked for the news as to the escape
from Elmira； being anxious to know whether his companions had
been as fortunate as himself in getting clear away。 He was startled
by reading the following pa