, expressed his belief that they might be able to
work their way through the roof, and so get out.

"If they attempt to starve us, it's a thing we must do," he observed;
"and it will be hard if we go foraging about the island and cannot find
any food; and then if it's impossible to get off, we must e'en before
morning get back into our present prison, and maybe it will not be
discovered that we have ever left it."

The two midshipmen were delighted with this proposal, though Deane
doubted somewhat that it would be carried out. Their only amusement was
looking out of the window, which there was room for two of them to do at
a time; but it was too small to allow more than that number to look out
of it together. Now and then people were seen moving about, and passing
at a distance from the prison; but no one came near enough for the
prisoners to speak to them. Jack determined to do so if he could,
however, that he might try to ascertain something more of the character
of the people among whom they had fallen. He had been looking out for
some time when he saw a person approaching, whom, by his dress and gay
sash full of pistols, his hat with a feather, and the rich, jewelled
hilt to his sword, he concluded was an officer. The man turned his face
for an instant up to the window. Although his hair was somewhat
grizzled and his beard bushy and long, partly concealing his face, the
conviction flashed across Jack's mind that he was no other than Master
Pearson, as he called himself, with whom he had parted in the fens of
Lincolnshire! The man turned away and passed on; but from his gait and
manner, Deane felt still more convinced that he was not mistaken.
Instantly a number of thoughts crowded into his mind. Was he there
alone, or had he brought with him his wife and reputed daughter? Robber
and outlaw as he might be in England, Deane still thought he was not
debased enough to place them in so dangerous a position; and yet if they
were not with him, where could he have left them? The one redeeming
quality of the man was his devotion to his wife and the affection with
which he seemed to regard the little Elizabeth.

Jack felt more than ever anxious that he might get out of prison that he
might solve this question. Still, if it was Pearson, he had no wish to
make himself known to him. He felt also a disinclination to mention the
circumstances by which he had become acquainted with the man to his
companions. He thoug