on the floor, with palpitating hearts they waited the
issue. For more than an hour they waited the expected alarm. They could
occasionally hear a movement on the part of the sentinel in the entry;
but he probably thought it was foolish to be very vigilant over a man so
sick as Somers. But the demonstration came at last; and the prisoners,
sweltering in the confined air of the closet, listened with breathless
interest to the shouts of the soldiers outside, and to the rapid steps of
those within the mansion.

The doctor and the sentinel entered the chamber so lately occupied by the
prisoners. The former swore in no measured terms at the faithlessness of
the sentry at the door, and at the stupidity of those who guarded the
house outside. But they seemed to have no doubt as to the manner of the
escape.

There was the open window, and the rope made of the bed-linen, which De
Banyan had pulled with his hands till it had the appearance of having
sustained a great weight. Dr. Scoville did not even try the door of the
closet; and the anxious listeners soon had the pleasure of hearing the
sounds of horses' hoofs, as the cavalry rode off to engage in the search
for the fugitives.

Everything about the house soon subsided into the most profound quiet,
and it was evident that the doctor and all the soldiers were engaged in
the search. After this solemn stillness had continued for a time, they
heard the voices of the servants in the chamber. They talked about the
escape, and all of them expressed a hope that "poor young massa would get
out ob de way." Here was an opportunity for an alliance, offensive and
defensive, which the prudent captain could not reject. Carefully opening
the door, he presented himself to the astonished negroes. With
considerable difficulty, he hushed their noisy exclamations, and opened
the case so eloquently, that all three of them readily promised to help
the fugitives in making their escape. They grinned with delight when they
comprehended the trick by which the doctor and the soldiers had been put
on the wrong scent.

With their assistance, the fugitives left the house, and made their way
to the stable, where Alick, the man who had waited upon them in the room,
raised a plank in the floor, and introduced them to secure but not very
comfortable quarters under the building. There was no cellar under the
stable, and the space which they occupied was not more than two feet in
height; but what it lacked in t