herself in, again read the note, then
burned it, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the first delicious hope
that had sent joy to her troubled heart since the sad hour of her capture.
Only two more days, and she would be at liberty! What a joy to her
desponding spirit! Two more days, and she would be free from her fiendish
persecutor, and could fly to her parent, to pour the balm of consolation
into his rent breast, and bind up his lacerated heart! Only two more days!
How the thought swelled her bosom! Alas! that from this high pinnacle of
hope she must so soon be hurled!

From the interview Bill went out to meet Dick, whom he had left on guard,
to give warning if Duffel or others should be coming to the cave.

We may as well remark here as at any other point, that the arrangements of
the order with regard to the cave were these: One of the number was always
expected to be within its precincts, to admit members who wished to obtain
entrance, either to escape the pursuit of officers of justice, or to
deposit booty. If by any possible chance this guarding sentinel should be
called away, without being able to give warning of his departure from the
post assigned him, he was to leave the key in a designated spot, where any
member might find it in case of need. As Bill did not wish any one to know
what he was doing at the door, he very generously offered to take the
sentinel's place for a half-day, and permit him to go out and breathe the
fresh air. The offer was gladly accepted; and Bill succeeded, to his entire
satisfaction, in getting an impression of the lock, while on duty in the
sentinel's stead.

There was, also, in a far corner of the outer cave, or rather, in an
apartment by itself, a kind of kitchen, where food was prepared. It was
from this place that Duffel supplied Eveline with nourishment, taking her
meals to her himself, which, by the way, though ample and of good quality,
were generally served up cold, or, to speak plainly, were left in the
captain's room for her to partake of when and as she saw proper; for she
would touch nothing that he brought, in his presence, nor would she have
done so at any other time, could she have lived without food; it was only
to be preserved from starvation, that she forced herself to eat in that
cheerless abode.

In another part of the cave, separated from the main room partly by natural
and partly by artificial means, was a kind of magazine, where powder, lead
and arms