culties about them; but when it came to
not only making good one's own escape, but also that of a feeble and
weakly companion of unsettled reason, the task seemed so utterly
hopeless, so thoroughly impracticable, that it appeared almost worse
than madness to dream of undertaking it.

Yet, in spite of all this, and notwithstanding the terrible example
which had been made of the unhappy Pedro, George clung tenaciously to
the idea, and never let slip an opportunity to do anything which in ever
so slight a degree might contribute to his success when the time should
come for the effort to be made. As time passed on, and his knowledge of
the Spanish language became perfected, his uniform industry and good
conduct procured him many little indulgences; such as a few hours of
release from field-labour now and then, in order that he might instead
be despatched, duly provided with a "pass," on some errand or message,
either to a neighbouring plantation or to Havana itself. These little
journeys not only afforded him an opportunity--of which he made the
most--of studying the physical geography of the island, but also of
hunting for the precious plant by means of which he hoped to
successfully hide his trail; and in this latter quest he was so far
fortunate that he found at different times as many as eight of them,
five of which he successfully transplanted to a favourable spot on the
estate itself in such an out-of-the-way locality that he fervently hoped
they would escape discovery.

The next task which he set himself--and Tom--was that of propitiating
and making friends with the dogs which nightly guarded the estate; but
in this they were wholly unsuccessful; the creatures had been too well
trained, and they absolutely refused all overtures from men who wore the
detested garb of slavery. The circumstance, however, that they were of
white instead of negro blood was a point in our adventurers' favour, and
George accidentally made the discovery that, probably in consequence of
this circumstance, when he was able by any means to conceal the uniform
he usually wore, the hounds, though still suspicious, were puzzled and
undecided how to behave towards him.

In the meantime, whilst steadily cultivating the favour of the overseers
by his unvarying industry and good conduct, he as sedulously cultivated
the good-will and friendship of his fellow-slaves; and by the exercise
of great tact and circumspection he gradually won from them, w