out to them by one of the blacks who had been in
charge of the boat.

As the second of the party took his place next to Pete, he hung down his
head and whispered:

"Humpy says we're to make a dash for it and take the boat."

Pete started; but the man, under the pretence of adjusting his irons,
went on, with his head nearly in his comrade's lap:

"T'others know. We shall push off into the stream, where he can't hit
us with his pistols, and we can soon pitch the niggers overboard."

"Silence, there!" shouted the overseer.

The other men descended, and exchanged glances with their companions--
glances which Pete saw meant "Be ready!"--and his blood began to dance
through his veins.

Should he help, or shouldn't he?

Yes; they were his fellows in adversity, and it was for liberty: he
must--he would; and, with his heart beating hard, he prepared for the
struggle, feeling that they must succeed, for a blow or two would send
the men by them overboard, and a thrust drive the boat gliding swiftly
up-stream, the man with the boat-hook having enough to do to hold on.

"Young Nic Revel don't zeem to understand," thought Pete; "but he
couldn't help us if he did."

He had hardly thought this when, in obedience to an order from the
overseer, the last man, Humpy Dee, tramped clumsily to the edge and
seemed to hesitate, with the result that there was a sharp bark from one
of the dogs right astern, and a chill ran through Pete's burning veins.

"I forgot the dogs!" he said to himself.

"Get down, fool!" cried the overseer, and he struck at the hesitating
prisoner with the whip.

It was all a feint on the part of Humpy to gain time and carry out his
plan.

He winced as the whip-lash caught him on his leg, and then, instead of
descending slowly, leaped down right upon the black who held the boat to
the stage by the hook.

It was cleverly done, and acted as intended, for the black was driven
over the side, and the prisoner's weight gave the boat the impetus
required, sending it a little adrift into the stream, which began to
bear it away, but not before the result of a little miscalculation had
made itself evident.

For Humpy Dee had not allowed for the weight and cumbersomeness of his
fetters; neither had he given them credit for their hampering nature.
He had leaped and suddenly thrust the black overboard, to hang clinging
to the boat-hook; but he had been unable to check himself from
following; and, as the boat yie