Isaac, still on the alert for any advantage, observed, rather by sense
of hearing than of sight, that Master Wentworth kept his musket close
beside him, while the other two leaned their weapons against the bushes.

It seemed to Corporal 'Lige's recruit as if Nathan Beman had finally
come to understand that escape might yet be possible, for the latter
prodded his comrade with his elbow from time to time, as if to prevent
him from falling asleep, and Isaac returned the pressure with vigor.

Then, when it appeared as if fully an hour had passed, the heavy
breathing of the men told that they were fast asleep, and Nathan
whispered cautiously:

"These fellows ain't so smart as I'd counted on. I've heard father tell
how he outwitted the savages when they had him in the same kind of a
trap, an' I can work this if you're ready."

"Begin at once; there is no time to lose."

Then it was that young Beman breathed loudly as if wrapped in profound
slumber, and tossed about restlessly, all the while pressing against
Master White.

Isaac did not understand the purpose of such maneuver, but he was
content with knowing that his comrade had at last consented to make an
effort toward escape.

More than once Master White partially awakened, and grumbled because of
Nathan's restlessness; but at the same moment he unconsciously moved
aside slightly, and each time he did this the prisoners were so much
nearer liberty.

Then came the time when Nathan whispered:

"He has at last rolled off the saplings, and I can crawl away without
disturbing him. Are you ready to follow?"

"Yes. Can't you get the muskets? Two are near our feet, and the other is
by the side of Wentworth."

"It is enough if we give them the slip."

"If we get possession of the muskets they cannot send a bullet after us
in case one awakens before we are well off."

"I'll try it," Nathan replied as he began wriggling his body out from
under the saplings, not daring to move in the direction of where Master
White lay.

Isaac, literally trembling with excitement, followed his example, and it
seemed to him as if half an hour had been consumed in the task, when
really no more than five minutes were thus spent before the boys were on
their feet and the men apparently still wrapped in slumber.

Even now Nathan would have made good his escape without an effort to
secure the weapons, and pressed his comrade's arm to intimate that there
was no time to be lost; but Isaac