he morning. Again the door
was closed, and the free air, which had seemed to flow to us in
sympathy, was once more shut out.

We tried to arrange ourselves to secure the repose we so much needed,
but the room was too small. Think of this, ye who sleep on your downy
beds at home. Here were your brothers of Ohio, not only compelled to
sleep on the bare floor, but not even enough of that, in this vilest
of dens, on which to lie down at all! and yet some of you sympathize
with those who were the authors of this cruelty, and think it so hard
that their property should be confiscated for such trifles as these,
and, worst of all, that their negroes should be taken from them! What
shall we think of _you_?

We did the best we could. Some found room to lie down. Others sat
against the wall, and still others leaned on the breasts of those who
were thus supported. It is no wonder if, while in such a situation we
should be afflicted with the nightmare, and have innumerable bad
dreams. If any one wanted to move his position, or go for a drink,
(and the stifling heat rendered us all very thirsty,) he was sure to
tread on his neighbors, and tempers being naturally very short here,
some warm altercations took place, which contributed still more to
disturb our slumbers.

The next morning we slept late. Indeed, as long as we remained in this
prison we were inclined to sleep much. The great quantity of carbonic
acid gas our breathing produced, seemed to act as an opiate, and thus
served, in some measure, to deaden the sense of pain. We were aroused
the next morning--early, as we supposed--by the opening of the door
above, and the delicious shower of cool air that fell on us. As we
looked up, we saw the white head of our old jailor bending over, and
saying, in drawling tones, "Boys, here's your breakfast," and down he
lowered a bucket, by a rope, containing a very small piece of bread,
and the same of meat, for each of us. This was seized and devoured
almost instantly. I had received nothing to eat since breakfast the
day before, and the little morsel I got only served to whet my
appetite; but there was no more! We asked what time it was, and were
told nine o'clock. We were also informed that we would get our meals
only twice a day. This was rather discouraging information for persons
as hungry as ourselves, but we had no remedy.

During the day a few more of our party came in, and among them was G.
D. Wilson. I found that they had all