n the man, and
waited, patiently or impatiently, till there should be a change.

The change did come, Ram appearing the next day with the basket; but his
father and several other men entered the quarry, and something was
brought in--what he did not see.

Ram came up to him with his basket, but, just as he began speaking,
Shackle called him away, and once more the prisoner was left alone.

He partook of his meal, feeling more dull and dispirited than ever, and
a walk afterwards to the little opening, just big enough to allow of his
arm being thrust in, afforded no relief. For he wanted, to talk to Ram
about their adventures, and to try whether he could not win over the boy
to help him to escape.

The next day arrived, and, as of old, Ram came, with Jemmy Dadd left at
the door.

"He's grumbling," said the boy, "about having to help watch over you."

"Then why not put an end to it?" cried Archy, eagerly dashing into the
question next his heart, for his confinement now grew unbearable.

"How?"

"Help me to escape."

The boy laughed.

"Aren't you going to ask me how I am?"

"No; why should I?"

"'Cause you made me have that fall, and my head's been trebble. I've
been in bed three days."

"I am sorry for you," said Archy; "but I can only think of one thing--
how to get away."

"No good to think about that. Father won't let you go; I asked him."

"You did, Ram?"

"Yes, I asked him--though you wouldn't be friends and shake hands."

"What did he say?" cried Archy, ignoring the latter part of his gaoler's
remarks.

"Said I was a young fool, and he'd rope's-end me if I talked any more
such stuff."

The midshipman did not notice it, but there was a quiet and softened air
in Ram's behaviour toward him, and the boy seemed reluctant to go, but,
in the midshipman's natural desire to get away, he could think of
nothing else but self.

"It would not be the act of a fool to set one of the officers of the
Royal Navy at liberty."

"He says it would, for it would be the end of us all here. The sailors
would come and pretty well turn us out of house and home. No; he won't
let you go."

"How long is he going to keep me here?"

"Don't know. Long as he likes."

That last sentence seemed to drive the prisoner into a fit of anger,
which lasted till the boy's next coming.

The prisoner had been listening anxiously for the sound which betokened
the visit of his young gaoler, and he was longing to have speech