uld they be driven from the cave
through the opening unknown to Deslow, but which he believed to be in
this direction.

The firing on the right apprised Augustus that the attack had commenced.
This was the signal for him to advance boldly up from the ravine, and
establish himself on an elevation commanding a view of the slopes. Here
he had been discovered very opportunely by Salina, who was seeking some
pretext for calling Toby from his prisoner. In the shade of some bushes
that had escaped the fire, he sat comfortably smoking his cigar on one
end of a log, which was smoking on its own account at the other end.

"Put out that fire, some of you," said Augustus.

This was scarcely done, when suddenly a man came leaping down the slope,
holding his hands together in a very singular manner. Bythewood started
to his feet.

"Deuce take me!" said he, "if it ain't Lysander! But what's the matter
with his hands, sergeant?"

"Looks to me as though he had bracelets on," replied the experienced
sergeant.

Some men were despatched to meet and bring the captain in. The sergeant
found a key in his pocket to unlock the handcuffs. Then Lysander told
the story of his capture, which, though modified to suit himself,
excited Bythewood's derision. This stung the proud captain, who, to wash
the stain from his honor, proposed to take a squad of men and surprise
the cave.

Fired by the prospect of seeing Virginia in his power, Augustus had but
one important order to give: "Bring your prisoners to me here!"

Instead of proceeding directly to the cave, Lysander used strategy. He
knew that if his movements were observed, and their object suspected,
Virginia would have ample time to escape with her father and old Toby
into the interior caverns, where it might be extremely difficult to
discover them. He accordingly started in the direction of the sink, as
if with intent to reenforce the soldiers fighting there; then, dropping
suddenly into a hollow, he made a short turn to the left, and advanced
swiftly, under cover of rocks and bushes, towards the ledge that
concealed the cave.

* * * * *

"How _could_ you let him go, Toby!" cried Virginia, filled with
consternation at the prisoner's escape. For she saw all the mischievous
consequences that were likely to follow in the track of that fatal
error: Cudjo's secret, so long faithfully kept, now in evil hour
betrayed; the cave attacked and captured, and the bra