s trouble and risk on my
account?"

"Do I not know that the villains, thine accusers, lied? Should I not
feel an interest in a brave man unjustly condemned by the artful
Winthrop? Have no suspicion of me, Philip," said Spikeman, in a tone
as if he were grieved at the thought.

"I entreat your pardon, and will allow of none," answered the soldier,
and his frank face abundantly confirmed the truth of his declaration.
"But how am I to escape?"

"I have considered many plans," replied Spikeman, "but only one doth
seem capable of execution. Yet I fear me much thy courage will fail,
even when thou hast but to extend thy hand to grasp thy freedom. The
thing is not unattended with peril."

"Doubt not my courage, nor talk of peril to a man confined in a place
like this, when the chance of freeing himself is offered. Try me, and
see whether heart or hand fail."

"These are brave words, Philip, yet have I seen them who talked as
boldly, and yet flinched at the decisive moment."

"Who ever dared to call Philip Joy a coward?" cried the soldier,
impatiently. "Methinks it is so long since I struck a blow worthy of a
man, that I long to be doing, if only to keep my hand in practice."

"Then listen," said Spikeman, lowering his voice, and supposing that
he had got the soldier sufficiently worked up and committed by his
language. "With this key"--taking one from his pocket--"will I unfasten
thy manacles, and under pretext of unwittingly leaving open the door
of thy cell, direct the jailer to enter and lock it, when thou, being
a strong and active man, may, on his entrance, overpower him, and
grant thyself free passage, and with five minutes' start, who is there
could find thee in the woods?"

But Joy hesitated. "Liberty is sweet," he said, "yet would I be loth
to do aught to harm Bars."

"What favor owe you him?" demanded Spikeman. "Has he not evil
entreated thee, and loaded thee with unnecessary and cruel bands of
iron, till compelled by me to remove them?"

"I do suppose he was acting by order of his superiors. In all other
matters, Sam has been kind to me, and he did almost weep when he
placed the iron bands around my body. Nay, but to lay hand on him,
goes mightily against my stomach."

"Then remain to rot, if you like it better, in spite of all your
boastful speeches, for the darkness and damp seem to have sucked all
manhood out of thee; or shouldst thou survive a month, to have thine
ears cropped and thy back scourge