They're always plotting to escape--we've no real prison
system--no discipline. Hundreds have escaped already. It's nothing
new--"
"This _is_ new," the spy went on eagerly, "They let me into their
councils last night. There's going to be a big raid on Richmond--the men
inside are going to fight their way out, arm themselves and burn the
city. When they get the signal from the outside they'll batter down the
walls and rush through--"
"Batter down the walls?"
"Yes, sir--"
"How?"
"They've loosed two big rafters and have them ready to use as battering
rams--"
"You're sure of this?"
"Sure's God's in heaven. Go in and see for yourself--"
Captain Welford gave a low whistle.
"This is big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to make an
army corps--eleven hundred in here--twenty-five hundred at Crew and
Pemberton's--at Belle Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen
thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of men. If they realize
their power, they can batter their way out in five minutes and sweep the
city with blood and fire--"
He stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man.
"That'll do for you here. Take a little rest. You'd as well go back into
a lion's den when they find out that I know.
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