25. This is Christmas, and a sorrowful one it is, though we had sent us, by our friends without, a fourpenny white loaf per mess, and a little cabbage. Little did I think, last Christmas, of being here now; neither did I expect, three months ago, to be here to-day. But all signs seem to fail; and it seems as though we were enchanted here. A third year of our imprisonment has begun.
26. We learn, by the papers, that Admiral Keppel is to receive a trial by court martial, for his behavior on the 27th of July last, in an engagement with the French fleet, off Brest. He is confined to his house, with two sentries at his door.
27. Sunday. At this time, we have a hole in hand, which we began near a month ago. This hole is dug down by the side of the prison, about nine feet perpendicular, and from thence it is dug about fifteen feet under ground, across a road; and our intention is to dig up into a garden on the other side of the way. A great quantity of dirt has already come out of this hole, and we have much trouble in concealing it. We have filled every hole and corner in the prison where we can with safety hide it, and a great many large stones are laid fore and aft the prison, in piles, under our hammocks, with old garments laid over them.—There has been so many holes discovered of late, in this prison, that we are very cautious how we proceed with this. We work only when the militia are on guard, which is every other day, because they are not so suspicious and exact in searching, as the 13th regiment.
28. We have now got the hole almost completed, and mean to put our plan into execution to-night, and I hope God will be with us. Never did I know the true value of money until now; if I had four or five guineas, I could scarcely have a doubt of my liberty; but from the want of this I expect to be brought back again if I should have the good fortune to get out. While I now write, we are dividing ourselves into companies, to cast lots who shall go out first, so as to give every one an equal chance that intends to go; except three that dug the hole—they are to go first. I believe that nearly one half in prison intend to go, if possible; but I fear that but very few will get out before we shall be discovered, on account of their being four walls to get over, about eight feet high, each, after we get into the garden, and before we get into the road.