To the great majority of the prisoners it was the first intimation that such a thing was contemplated; the news spread from squad to squad with the greatest rapidity, and soon everybody was discussing the chances of the movement.

For awhile men ceased their interminable discussion of escape and exchange--let those over worked words and themes have a rare spell of repose--and debated whether the Raiders would whip the regulators, or the Regulators conquer the Raiders.

The reasons which I have previously enumerated, induced a general disbelief in the probability of our success.

The Raiders were in good health well fed, used to operating together, and had the confidence begotten by a long series of successes.

The Regulators lacked in all these respects.
Whether Key had originally fixed on the next day for making the attack, or whether this affair precipitated the crisis, I know not, but later in the evening he sent us all order: to be on our guard all night, and ready for action the next morning.
There was very little sleep anywhere that night.