up and stamped his foot as if the leg were stiff. Then, as
if satisfied that he could get along pretty well, he turned to his
companion.

"It's rather bad," he said, excitedly; "but--I can manage now. Jump up
and come along."

Aleck remained silent.

"Do you hear?" cried the middy.

"Yes. It's time now that we had something more to eat," said the lad,
quietly.

"Eat? Eat? Who's going to think of eating now? I want to get out and
breathe the cool, soft air. I feel just as if I were coming to life
after having been buried. Here, pick up the lanthorn and let's start."

"If Eben Megg does not come back by the morning," said Aleck, coldly.

"What! Do you mean to tell me that you are going to stay here all night
when the way's open?"

"The way is not open," said Aleck, coldly.

"Not open? You told me there was no door or fastening at all."

"There is neither, but it's shut up by the promise I gave that man."

"You tell me really that you mean to stop here all night waiting for
him?"

"Yes," said Aleck; "I was quite ready to stop here all night to keep you
company when you were a prisoner chained to that wall."

The midshipman stood staring down at his companion as if half stunned,
till better thoughts prevailed.

"Yes," he said, at last, in a quieter way. "So you were; and you would
have done it, wouldn't you?"

"Of course I would," said Aleck.

"And it wouldn't be fair to break your word, eh?"

"That's what I feel," was the reply.

"Yes, and I suppose it's right, Aleck--that's what they call you?"

"Yes, that's what they call me," said the lad, coldly.

"Yes--yes," said the middy, slowly. "I say, you're not an officer, but
you're a jolly deal more of a gentleman than I am. You see, I've been a
prisoner so long, and I want to get out."

"Of course; it's only natural."

"Well, then, you're going to show me the way out?"

"To-morrow morning, when I feel satisfied that Eben Megg will not come."

"No, no, to-night--if it is to-night yet. Come!"

"No," said Aleck, firmly. "I gave him my word that I'd wait, and I'll
stay even if he doesn't come back; but I have no right to try and stop
you."

"No, that you haven't; but I'm not going to behave worse than you do.
Now, once more, are you going to show me the way out?"

"No," said Aleck.

To his intense astonishment the midshipman threw himself back upon his
rough couch again.

"All right," he said; "I know what it means when you're