A blanket was placed over the hole, and one of the company was always seated upon it, before the regular time for the soldier who had charge of them to make his appearance.

When the periodical visit was made, the Indians were always observed to be seated, smoking in the most orderly and quiet manner.

There was never anything in their appearance to excite suspicion.
The prisoners had never read the memoirs of Baron Trenck, but they had watched the proceedings of the badgers; so, profiting by their example, they worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about six weeks, they came out to the open air beyond the walls of the Fort.
That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their flight, they left their blankets behind them, and although it was bitter December weather, they took to the woods and prairies with only their calico shirts and leggings for covering.

We can readily believe that hope and exultation kept them comfortably warm until they reached an asylum among their friends.
It would be compromising our own reputation as loyal and patriotic citizens to tell of the secret rejoicing this news occasioned us.
The question now was, how to get the fugitives back again.

The Agent could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs, and represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once more surrender themselves, and thus free those who had had the charge of them from the imputation of carelessness, which the Government would be very likely to throw upon them.
When, according to their custom, many of the chiefs assembled at the Agency on New-Year's Day, their Father laid the subject before them.
The Indians replied, that _if they saw the young men_ they would tell them what the officers would like to have them do.