pass through the thick brush; but the task
was not an easy one. By the aid of a bowie-knife, with which they cut
away some of the bushes, they penetrated to the larger growth of trees,
where the under-brush no longer impeded their progress. They passed
beyond the hearing of the mulatto, though from his elevated position he
occasionally obtained a view of them, as they approached the cottage.
Anxiously he waited their return, in the hope of getting more definite
ideas of the time and method of the proposed attack upon the island.

After a careful survey of the premises, Maxwell and Vernon returned to
their former position.

"Quite an easy job," said Vernon; "the only difficulty is this thick
brush, which can be easily removed. I will cut away a part now."

"Very well," responded Maxwell, as his associate proceeded to cut away
the bushes, and form a pathway through, the thicket. "When shall the
thing be done?"

"As to that I can hardly say. When we get to Vicksburg we can decide.
Better let the girl rest a week or so; for it may take that time to get
things ready. You can't hire men to do such work as easily as you can to
cut wood and dig ditches. It takes skill and caution."

"Very well, I am in no haste."

For nearly an hour Vernon labored at his task, and completed a path
through which the party could easily pass to the cottage.

The object of their visit accomplished, Hatchie saw them return to their
boat, and row down the river. After they had disappeared round a bend,
he descended from the tree, and examined the labors of Vernon. He found
the bushes which had been cut down were nicely placed at each end of the
path in an upright position, so as to conceal it from the eyes of the
passer. For a long time the mulatto reflected upon the conversation he
had heard, and considered the means of defeating the diabolical plot.
Against a band of ruffians, such as Vernon would enlist for the service,
he could not contend single-handed. To remove his mistress from the
island, while Henry Carroll lay helpless there, would not be an
acceptable proposition to her. Resolving to lay the information he had
gained before Dr. Vaudelier, he returned to his canoe, and, having
rounded the island, reached the cottage by the usual passage.

* * * * *

Henry Carroll still slept. For six hours he had lain under the influence
of the powerful opiate. Emily entered his chamber in company with the
doctor, o