Part 105 (1/2)
”Hist!” whispered Samson; ”hear that, sir?”
”Yes; they are asleep.”
”No, sir; that behind us?”
”No.”
”Listen.”
Fred listened intently, and his hand went to the hilt of his sword, for, sure enough, there was the sound of steps coming slowly and cautiously, and as if he who made them listened, along the pa.s.sage from the direction of the lake.
”Some one tracking us,” said Fred, with his lips to his follower's ear.
”Stand aside. Don't strike. Let him enter, and then we must seize and gag him when I say '_Now_!'”
A pressure of Samson's ear against his lips told of his acquiescence, and they stood, one on each side of the arched opening, waiting as the steps came nearer, apparently more and more cautiously, till the stairway was reached, against which whoever it was stumbled slightly, and then ascended with many pauses, and stepped right inside the vault, breathing heavily, and seeming to listen.
”What shall I do?” thought Fred. ”Seize him, or what?”
”Master Fred--Master Fred, do say '_Now_', or our chance is gone,” said Samson to himself; and as if this was communicated to the young officer by some peculiar sense, he was drawing in his breath previous to giving the word and das.h.i.+ng at their tracker, when a low, piteous voice said half aloud--
”Gone, or he has forgotten us. What shall--”
”Don't you talk like that o' Master Fred, sir,” cried Samson, in indignant tones.
”Scar!” cried Fred; and he threw his arms round his boyhood's companion, who uttered a low sigh, and would have sunk to the stony floor but for Fred's support.
”Samson.”
”Well, sir, what did he mean by scaring us and talking like that?”
”Have you been outside?”
”No,” said Scarlett, in a low, hesitating voice. ”I was ill and feverish. I went to the end to get some water, and I think I must have fallen down and slept. I have not slept much, and it has been so long and dark, and I thought you had forsaken us.”
”Forsaken you!” cried Fred, reproachfully. ”But your father--and Nat?”
”I hardly know; they seem to have done nothing but sleep.”
”Don't talk now. Rouse them at once. You must escape.”
”Escape? Where?”
”I have provided the refuge for you. Horses are waiting in front of the Hall. Now, let's try and get them out at once.”
”In front of the Hall?” said Scarlett, whose weakness seemed to be chased away by his old friend's words.
”Yes.”
”Fred, we can get down from the oak chamber into the ruins. A piece of the wall has fallen. Will not that be a better way?”