roposed to shoot all their prisoners the next
day, and that, besides those already in camp, they expected a number
more from other estates which were to be attacked. There appeared only
a possibility that our lives might be prolonged another day, till all
their forces out on various expeditions were assembled. Little did
those at home, looking at the map of Jamaica, fancy that, in the very
centre of that beautiful island, there existed so numerous a band of
savages in open revolt against the authority of the king.

At first our guards were animated enough in their conversation; then
their voices grew thicker and thicker, and their tones more drowsy and
droning, till they could scarcely have understood what each other said.
At last one began to snore, then another, and the last speaker found
himself without auditors. I longed for him to hold his tongue, and to
go to sleep, but talk on he would, though he had no listeners. This, I
thought, was a good opportunity to allow me to speak to the captain, so
I crawled up to him. He was awake, waiting for me.

"What's to be done now, captain?" said I.

"We must wait the course of events, Jack," he answered. "I have been
turning over every plan in my mind which affords a chance of escape. If
we were to start off now, we should certainly be caught by some of these
black gentlemen; and if brought back, we should be put under stricter
watch and ward than hitherto. Something may occur during the night, or
perhaps to-morrow. At all events, I do not intend to die without a
fight for it. Try and go to sleep now, and get some rest; you'll want
it for what you may have to go through. Go, lie down, lad; my advice is
good. Don't fear."

I followed the captain's advice, though it was difficult to go to sleep,
and still more so not to fear. I did go to sleep, however, and never
slept more soundly in my life. I was awoke by feeling a hand placed on
my shoulder. It was that of the captain.

"Jack," he whispered, "be prepared to follow me if I summon you, but not
otherwise. If we can manage to get down the rock, or to cross the
causeway without being seen, we will go; but if not, we must wait
another opportunity. I do not feel as if either of us had come to the
end of the cable yet, but how we are to get free I don't know."

Saying this the captain gently lifted up some of the leaves which formed
the side of the hut, and crept out. His words and tone gave me great
encourag