the same guard for thirty dollars. With this start,
I succeeded in making enough to live upon, by buying of prisoners, and
selling to the guard, and in return buying of the guard at night and
selling to my comrades the next day.

CHAPTER XXIV.

ORGANIZATION FOR A BREAK COMPLETED--THE ATTEMPTED BREAK--THE GUARD
DISARMED--TOO LATE, GO BACK--COLONEL RAULSTON SHOT.

Our organization being now perfected, and our plans matured, we lay down
that night, and held whispered consultations about our proposed future
operations. I have already stated that the prisoners occupied the second
and third floors of the building; the stairs being located in the
north-east corner, and at the foot of the lower flight, was a room about
twelve feet square, with a door leading to the street. In this room we
usually waited with pails, to be let out to bring water, wood and coal,
for the supply of the prison.

The next day everything seemed quiet, and at nine o'clock, when we were
fell in for count, nothing could be detected that would indicate that
anything unusual was contemplated.

During the forenoon, I had a long talk with Colonel Raulston, and General
Duffie, who both seemed to think that we had better be prepared, and hold
ourselves in readiness to take advantage of any favorable circumstance
that might occur, but that it was best for the present, to remain quiet,
and bide our time. What was my surprise then, while sitting with the
Colonel at dinner, to see a gunboat officer approach with his overcoat and
traps all on, and say, Colonel we are waiting for you, sir. The Colonel
replied, well, if that is all you are waiting for, you won't have long to
wait; and leaving his half-eaten dinner, got up, put on his overcoat, and
started down stairs.

About the same time, about a dozen or fifteen went down with pails, and
entered the room that opened on the street.

Colonel Raulston approached the guard near the foot of the stairs, and was
trying to trade boots with him, while General Duffie approached the one at
the back end of the room, and began bantering him for a trade; the
Colonel, and General, each wearing a pair of long riding boots, which was
something the average reb seemed to have a great weakness for.

The men with the pails, asked the sentry with whom Colonel Raulston was
talking, to call the Sergeant of guard and he called as usual--Sergeant of
the guard post number fo. Then Colonel Raulston gave the signal--now--when