Alfred made no reply, and the two friends shortly after separated.

Harry kept an assiduous watch for an opportunity to speak with the sentinel.  The time for the man to remain on guard expired, however, without any favorable chance presenting itself.  He was, therefore, compelled to wait until the evening, when the same sentinel would be again on guard, before he could attempt to bribe him.  At four o’clock he was posted, and after some hesitation, Harry determined to address him.  Walking up as soon as he perceived no one near the man, he called out to him.

“Vot to deuce do you vant? you rebel,” asked the sentinel in a broad Dutch accent.

“Will you let me come a little nearer?” Harry inquired, perceiving that the distance between the guard and himself too great for a conversation.

“Vot do you vant to come a leetle nearer for?” asked the sentinel.

“I want to talk to you,” he replied, making a motion of his hand to indicate that he wished to converse in secret.

The sentinel, looking carefully around to be certain that no one was near at hand who could perceive him, beckoned to Harry to approach.  The young man went forward cautiously, as the numerous sentinels around the wall were likely to perceive him, and would not hesitate to fire if they imagined he was about to attempt an escape.  As soon as he reached the sentinel, he made known his wishes, and ended by offering the man his watch and forty dollars in gold if he would permit himself and his friend to pass the gate at night.  At the same time he promised the man he would take all the responsibility in the event of detection or re-capture.

The sentinel listened attentively, and at first appeared unwilling to receive the bribe, but upon Harry representing to him that there was no chance of his agency in the escape being discovered, he finally consented to receive it.  It was, therefore, arranged between them, that at twelve o’clock that night the two prisoners should start.  The signal was to be a faint whistle, which would ultimate to the guard that they were there, if it was answered they should advance, but if not they should return, as his silence would either indicate that he was not alone, or that he was not on his post.  Everything having been amicably arranged between them, Harry promised to pay the bribe as soon as they had reached the gate.  This the fellow demurred to at first, but as Harry was determined, not to pay over the watch and forty dollars, until the hour of their departure, he was compelled to assent.

On Harry’s return to his tent, he found Alfred reading a Yankee pictorial newspaper.

“Well,” he remarked, looking up from his paper as soon as Harry entered.

“Everything progresses finely,” replied Harry.

“Have you been able to speak to the sentinel?” he asked.

“I have seen him, and made all the necessary arrangements,” Harry replied.