pplication
of the instrument, that, with a small labor and in little time, they
should be enabled to effect their escape, at least into the free air,
and under the more genial vault of heaven.

Having made this discovery, it was determined that nothing more should
be done until night, and having filled up the apertures which they had
made, with one thing or another, they proceeded to consult, with more
deliberate composure, on the future progress. It was arranged that the
night should be permitted to set in fairly--that Lucy should retire
early, having first taken care that Munro and her aunt, with whom she
more exclusively consorted--Rivers having kept very much out of sight
since her removal--should see her at the evening meal, without any
departure from her usual habits. Bunce undertook to officiate as guide,
and as Chub expressed himself willing to do whatever Miss Lucy should
tell him, it was arranged that he should remain, occasionally making
himself heard in his cell, as if in conversation, for as long a period
after their departure as might be thought necessary to put them
sufficiently in advance of pursuit--a requisition to which Chub readily
gave his consent. He was the only one of the party who appeared to
regard the whole matter with comparative indifference. He knew that a
man was in danger of his life--he felt that he himself was in prison,
and he said he would rather be out among the pine-trees--but there was
no rush of feeling, such as troubled the heart of the young girl, whose
spirit, clothing itself in all the noblest habiliments of humanity,
lifted her up into the choicest superiority of character--nor had the
dwarf that anxiety to do a service to his fellow, which made the pedler
throw aside some of his more worldly characteristics--he did simply as
he was bid, and had no further care.

Miss Lucy, he said, talked sweetly, like his mother, and Chub would do
for Miss Lucy anything that she asked him. The principle of his
government was simple, and having chosen a sovereign, he did not
withhold his obedience. Thus stood the preparations of the three
prisoners, when darkness--long-looked-for, and hailed with trembling
emotions--at length came down over the silent homestead of the outlaws.

CHAPTER XXXII.

ESCAPE.

The night gathered apace, and the usual hour of repose had come. Lucy
retired to her apartment with a trembling heart but a courageous spirit,
full of a noble determination to pe