"Then, _mon cher_, the sooner you are initiated into the mysteries of the craft the better, and no one will go through the ceremony more explicitly, briefly and satisfactorily, than myself--_le Caporal Blon_. First of all, _mon brave_, and most indispensable, as your good sense will teach you, it is necessary that every new comer is bound to pay his footing among the '_government boarders_;' and as you, Monsieur le capitaine, seem to be the honored _chef_ of this charming little squadron, I will make bold to thank you for a _Louis d'or_, or a _Napoleon_, to insure your welcome." The request was no sooner out than complied with. "_Bien!_" continued the corporal, "_c'est un bon enfant, parbleu!_ Now, I have but one more _mystere_ to impart, and that is a regulation which no clever chap disregards. We are companions in misery; we sleep beneath one roof; we eat out of one kettle;--in fact, _nous sommes freres_, and the _secrets of brothers are sacred, within these walls, from jailers and turnkeys_!" As he said these words, he pursed up his mouth, bent his eyes scrutinizingly into mine, and laying his finger on his lip, brought his right hand once more, with a salute, to the oily remnant of a military cap. I was initiated. I gave the required pledge for my party, and, in return, was assured that, in any enterprise undertaken for our escape,--which seemed to be the great object and concern of every body's prison-life,--we should be assisted and protected by our fellow-sufferers. Most of this day was passed in our rooms, and, at dark, after being mustered and counted, we were locked up for the night. For some time we moped and sulked, according to the fashion of all _new_ convicts, but, at length, we sallied forth in a body to the court-yard, determined to take the world as it went, and make the best of a bad bargain.