These directions he implicitly followed; and seizing a favorable opportunity, he leaped from the wagon and rapidly made his way in the direction of the city. Going directly to Sam Sloan's, he knocked loudly at the door. After a few minutes a window was raised and a voice inquired angrily:
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
"It is I—Webster—Sam, come down and open the door."
The window was shut, with an oath of joyful surprise, and in a twinkling, the door was opened, and Sloan pulled Webster into the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
"Great G—d, Webster, how did you manage to get away from the Yanks?"
"Let me get warm, and I'll tell you," replied Webster, with a laugh.
"Come up stairs," said Sloan heartily, "and we'll have something to drink."
After refreshing themselves, Webster related the manner of his escape, carefully concealing the action of the officer, and the fact that he had been peaceably permitted to leave the vehicle—and when he had concluded, Sloan's admiration was unbounded. Promising to secrete him until he could safely get away, they all went to bed, and slept soundly.
Early the next morning Sloan left the house, and after an absence of an hour or two returned, bringing with him several of Webster's trusty friends, among whom was John Earl, who was decidedly crestfallen at the thought of having been instrumental in leading Webster into such danger by introducing the strange man to him, without learning more about his character for loyalty to the cause. They were all overjoyed at his escape, and spent the afternoon in a jollification over his safe return. The newspapers contained full particulars of the affair, and when they were brought before him Webster could not restrain his laughter at their contents, as he read:
"ESCAPE OF A STATE PRISONER.[A]