"And to bring about an almost miraculous escape."
"Nonsense," exclaimed Crockston; "a prisoner thinks more of escaping than his guardian thinks of keeping him; that"s why, thanks to our help, Mr. Halliburtt will be saved."
"You are right, Crockston."
"Always right."
"But now what will you do? There must be some plan: and there are precautions to be taken."
"I will think about it."
"But when Miss Jenny learns that her father is condemned to death, and that the order for his execution may come any day--"
"She will know nothing about it, that is all."
"Yes, it will be better for her and for us to tell her nothing."
"Where is Mr. Halliburtt imprisoned?" asked Crockston.
"In the citadel," replied James Playfair.
"Just so! . . . On board now?"
"On board, Crockston!"
Chapter VIII
THE ESCAPE
Miss Jenny, sitting at the p.o.o.p of the _Dolphin_, was anxiously waiting the Captain"s return; when the latter went up to her she could not utter a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly than her lips could have done. The latter, with Crockston"s help, informed the young girl of the facts relating to her father"s imprisonment. He said that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of war to Beauregard, but, as the General did not seem disposed at all in their favour, he had thought it better to say no more about it, but think the matter over again.
"Since Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be more difficult; but I will finish my task, and I promise you, Miss Jenny, that the _Dolphin_ shall not leave Charleston without having your father on board."
"Thank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart."
At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole being.
He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips; perhaps he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could no longer repress, when Crockston interfered:
"This is no time for grieving," said he; "we must go to work, and consider what to do."
"Have you any plan, Crockston?" asked the young girl.
"I always have a plan," replied the American: "it is my peculiarity."
"But a good one?" said James Playfair.
"Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a better; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board."
Crockston spoke with such perfect a.s.surance, at the same time with such simplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person who could doubt his words.
"We are listening, Crockston," said James Playfair.
"Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of him which he will not refuse you."
"And what is that?"
"You will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scamp who has been very troublesome during the voyage, and excited the crew to revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in the citadel; at the same time, on the condition that he shall return to the ship on her departure, in order to be taken back to England, to be delivered over to the justice of his country."
"Good!" said James Playfair, half smiling, "I will do all that, and Beauregard will grant my request very willingly."
"I am perfectly sure of it," replied the American.
"But," resumed Playfair, "one thing is wanting."
"What is that?"
"The scamp."
"He is before you, Captain."
"What, the rebellious subject?"
"Is myself; don"t trouble yourself about that."
"Oh! you brave, generous heart," cried Jenny, pressing the American"s rough hands between her small white palms.
"Go, Crockston," said James Playfair; "I understand you, my friend; and I only regret one thing--that is, that I cannot take your place."
"Everyone his part," replied Crockston; "if you put yourself in my place you would be very much embarra.s.sed, which I shall not be; you will have enough to do later on to get out of the harbour under the fire of the Feds and Rebs, which, for my part, I should manage very badly."
"Well, Crockston, go on."
"Once in the citadel--I know it--I shall see what to do, and rest a.s.sured I shall do my best; in the meanwhile, you will be getting your cargo on board."
"Oh, business is now a very unimportant detail," said the Captain.
"Not at all! And what would your Uncle Vincent say to that? We must join sentiment with work; it will prevent suspicion; but do it quickly.
Can you be ready in six days?"
"Yes."
"Well, let the _Dolphin_ be ready to start on the 22nd."
"She shall be ready."