t that, Harry. I have come in to see how strong you
are. I have bribed the two guards stationed behind."

"I can just sit up in bed to take my food, Stanley, that is all. I
could not walk a step to save my life."

"I did not expect you to walk. What I want to know is whether you
are strong enough to be carried a few miles, on a litter. I have
five men from the village where we were, and they can cut through
the palisading behind the hut. I want to give you as long a time as
possible; but I am afraid that, any day, the governor may have you
taken out and sent in a litter to Ava, under a strong escort."

"I could bear being carried out, no doubt; but if I could not, I
should think it would do me no harm, so long as my wounds do not
break out afresh. I suppose the worst that could happen to me would
be that I should faint, before I got to the end of the journey.

"Are you sure, old man, that this is not a dream?"

"Quite certain; if you were well enough, I would give you a sharp
pinch. If you are willing to venture, I will make my preparations
at once. I have to send to the village; but in three days I shall
be ready and, the first night after that the men manage to be on
guard together behind, we shall be here. It may be a week, it may
be more but, at any rate, don't worry about it if they take you
away suddenly. I shall try to get you out of their hands, somehow."

"My dear Stanley," Harry said, with a feeble laugh, "do you know
that you are spoiling your chance of an earldom?"

"You may take it that if you don't succeed to the title, old
fellow, I sha'n't; for if you go under, I shall, too.

"Now goodbye; it would be fatal were I to be caught here. Try to
get yourself as strong as you can, but don't let them notice that
you are doing so."

Without giving Harry time to reply, Stanley pressed his hand and
left his bedside. He paused for a minute, to inform the trooper of
the plans for the escape, and then he got through the window.
Meinik joined him at once and, without a word being spoken, they
crossed the palisade, threw down the rope and blankets, and dropped
after them to the ground.

On their way back to their tree, Stanley told the two men that the
officer was better; and that the next morning, at daybreak, one of
them must start for the village to fetch their three comrades. The
boys were also to come back with him, as they were big fellows and
carried spears; and might, as Stanley thought, be useful ei