A convict makes a thrilling escape from the penitentiary, and after overcoming many obstacles and suffering untold hardships, manages to elude the pursuing guards. Nearly dropping with fatigue he bides in a hay wagon, burying himself under the hay. The wagon goes on its way to its destination and Jones cautiously crawls out to discover, to his amazement and disgust that he is within the walls of the penitentiary, the hay being intended for the horses of that institution.