Page:Statement of the attempted rescue of General Lafayette from Olmutz.djvu/28

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
26
Olmutz.

shuffled up to him, holding out a roll of nice white bread, saying, here, young man, eat this, you are more used to such things than I am, so I give it to you, for I do not need it. He thanked the man and accepted the kindness, but on breaking off a piece, found his parched lips refused all solid food, so returned it to the donor, who seemed to understand him, and said, I know how you feel, but added as if in pity, you will soon get used to this sort of life.

Another day and night he spent in this wretched place. The following day they brought his new suit of prison clothes, which had been made for him, and took away his own. They were of coarse woolen cloth, of a peculiar red brick-dust color, (both conspicuous and well known). Then he was taken to a solitary cell, partly above ground, with no window; but a slit high up admitted a dim light. It had the same kind of long bench, with straw and rug, and he was chained in the same way, fastened to the wall, and left alone.

Then followed daily examinations before the Magistrate. At first he was led through the streets chained, and guarded by soldiers; but afterwards the Court was held in a different part of the prison buildings, and he was taken there by the jailor and one or two attendants,