were the first to reach the shore; and were instantly made prisoners by the enemy, who were in ambush. As they appeared to be in confusion, my poor brother attempted to escape, by leaping over a stone wall; and had proceeded some distance, when he was fired on, and wounded through the thigh. One of the merciless desperadoes pursued, and ran him through with a bayonet. Although more than half a century has passed, since that cruel and savage deed, my blood still thrills at the recollection of the tragic scene! They then took four of our party on board their schooner, and lodged us in the jail at Newport, which was then used as a provost. I there remained as prisoner for about a fortnight, when, with a Captain Benjamin Borden, of Fall River, I made my escape, in the following manner. The prisoners were occasionally permited to go into the cellar; where we observed that, instead of iron, the windows were furnished with wooden bars, which might be easily removed with a good knife. But even then, there were difficulties to be surmounted, which, to persons less determined than ourselves, would doubtless have appeared insuperable. Sentinels were placed both in front and rear of the prison; and were continually patrolling. At the east end of the building, there was, and still is, a narrow street, communicating with the front and back streets of the prison. From the cellar window, by which we escaped, a few steps brought us into the street in front, and in view of the soldier; who, fortunately for us, was at that time in the sentry-box, on account of the rain which was falling. We had previously selected a topic of conversation respecting New York, that we might appear to have recently arrived from that place; in order to avert any suspicion which might arise in the mind of the sentinel, or of any other person whom we might meet. We had agreed to walk deliberately, and without betraying
