The want of fresh air in the tunnel, as it progressed to completion, often drove the men from their work, and caused a delay, which proved fatal to their successful escape.
The long-looked for day arrived.

More than three hundred had prepared to leave this hated abode, by the tunnel.

All they waited for was the tapping and the signal.

The time came, the place of egress was tapped, and the leader had scarcely put his head out of the hole, ere he was fired upon by the sentinels, which soon alarmed and drew the entire guard to the spot.

Great was the commotion throughout the prison, and all who were caught in the tunnel were severely punished.
This failure seemed to depress the spirits of the men more than any previous attempt.