nger. A powerful heart pumped vigorous blood through every artery
and vein. His muscles had regained their toughness and flexibility, and
above all, the intense desire for freedom had keyed him to supreme
effort.

Usually he did not hear the soldier's key turn in the lock, but soon he
heard it and his heart pumped. He glanced at White, but the gray figure,
flattened against the wall, never moved. The door swung open and the
soldier, merely a shambling peon, bearing the tray, entered. Behind him
according to custom came the second man who stood in the doorway,
leaning upon his musket. But he stood there only an instant. A pair of
long, powerful arms which must have seemed to him at that moment like
the antennae of a devil-fish, reached out, seized him in a fierce grip
by either shoulder, and jerked him gun and all into the cell. The door
was kicked shut and the grasp of the hands shifted from his shoulders to
his throat. He could not cry out although the terrible face that bent
over him made his soul start with fear.

The man with the tray heard the noise behind him and turned. Ned sprang
like a panther. All the force and energy that he had been concentrating
so long were in the leap. The soldier went down as if he had been
struck by a cannon ball and his tray and dishes rattled upon him. But he
was a wiry fellow and grasping his assailant he struggled fiercely.

"Now stop, my good fellow. Just lie still! That's the way!"

It was Obed White who spoke, and he held the muzzle of a pistol at the
man's head. The other soldier lay stunned in the corner. It was from his
belt that Obed had snatched the pistol.

"Get up, Ned," said White. "The first step in our escape from the Castle
of San Juan de Ulua has been taken. Meanwhile, you lie still, my good
fellow; we're not going to hurt you. No, you needn't look at your
comrade. I merely compressed his windpipe rather tightly. He'll come to
presently. Ned, take that gay red handkerchief out of his pocket and tie
his arms. If I were going to be bound I should like for the deed to be
done with just such a beautiful piece of cloth. Meanwhile, if you cry
out, my friend, I shall have to blow the top of your head off with this
pistol. It's not likely that they would hear your cry, but they might
hear my pistol shot."

Ned bound the man rapidly and deftly. There was no danger that he would
utter a sound, while Obed White held the pistol. Under the circumstances
he was satisfied with