eat vessels of water.

"Didn't think I wanted any more yet," said Jem, after eating heartily,
for there was an abundance. "Go on, Mas Don; 'tarn't so bad when you're
used to it, but a shovel full of our best West Indy plarntation sugar
wouldn't ha' done it any harm to my thinking."

"I have eaten all I care for, Jem," said Don, wearily; and he sat gazing
at the great fence which kept them in.

"No," said Jem, softly; "not there, Mas' Don. Just cast your eyes a bit
more to the left. There's quite a rough bit, and if we couldn't climb
it, I'm not here."

"But what about your shoulder?"

"I'll climb it with one hand, Mas' Don, or know the reason why."

"But the men on sentry?"

"Tchah! They think we're all too done up and cowardly to try to get
away. I've been thinking it all over, and if you're the same mind as
me, off we go to-night."

Don's heart beat fast, and a curious feeling of timidity came over him,
consequent upon his weakness, but he mastered it, and, laying his hand
on his companion's arm, responded,--

"I am ready."

"Then we'll make our hay while the sun shines, and as soon as it's
dark," said Jem, earnestly, and unconscious of the peculiarity of his
use of the proverb. "Let's lie still just as the others do, and then,
I'm sorry for 'em; but this here's a case where we must help ourselves."

Jem lay there on his back as if asleep, when three stalwart Maoris came
round soon after dusk, and took out the bowls which had held the food.
They were laughing and talking together, as if in high glee, and it was
apparently about the success of the festival, for they looked at their
prisoners, whom they then seemed to count over, each in turn touching
the poor creatures with the butt ends of their long spears.

Don felt the hot blood surge through his veins as one of the three
guards gave him a harsh thrust with his spear, but he did not wince,
only lay back patiently and waited till the men had gone. They secured
the way into the _pah_, after which they squatted down, and began
talking together in a low voice.

Don listened to them for a time, and then turned over to where Jem lay
as if asleep.

"Is it dark enough?" he whispered.

"Plenty. I'm ready."

"Can you manage to get over?"

"I will get over," said Jem, almost fiercely. "Wait a little while,
Mas' Don."

"I can't wait, Jem," he whispered. "I feel now as if I must act. But
one minute: I don't like leaving these poor creatures in