e, carefully tended by the deaf old woman, these six were
compelled to secrete themselves for a week, during which time the
soldiers were scouring the country in all directions in search of them.
They had to keep so close, and to be so careful, that they did not even
dare to let the old woman go near the neighbours to inquire what was
going on in the town, though naturally they were very anxious on that
point.

At the end of that week, while the fugitives were taking a breath of
fresh air in the yard, they were surprised by hearing the tramp of
approaching soldiers. To dive into their hiding-place and be covered
over by the old woman was the work of a few seconds. Anxiously they
listened while the renewed search was going on. The sounds sometimes
showed that the searchers were retiring from the yard, at other times
drawing near to it. At last a step was heard on the rubbish heap above
them; then a blow resounded on their covering, as if with the butt-end
of a musket. This was followed by a shout, a clamour of voices, and a
hasty clearing away of the rubbish.

"All is lost!" exclaimed the Secretary in his native tongue.

"Not while we have arms," growled Voalavo.

"You need not count on me to help you," said Ravonino, quietly, in the
native tongue; "why should we slaughter men uselessly? If we had a
chance of making a dash I would fight. But we can get out of this hole
only one by one, and no doubt a hundred men await us!"

"Is we a-goin' to fight, massa?" asked the negro, hopefully.

"Of coorse we are," said Hockins.

"No, my friend, we are not," said the Secretary, "our only hope, now, is
in God."

"It seems to me," rejoined Ravonino, "that God is our only hope at _all_
times--whether in danger or in safety; but He makes it plain just now
that our duty, as well as our wisdom, lies in quiet submission."

Ebony received this remark with a groan, and Hockins with something like
a growl. Just then the covering of their hiding-place was thrown off,
and several bayonet-points appeared.

"Come out, one at a time, quietly, else we will shoot you where you
stand!" exclaimed a stern voice.

The Secretary translated this. At the same time Ravonino clambered out
of the rice-hole, and was instantly seized and bound.

"It's all over now--may the Lord have mercy on us!" exclaimed Hockins,
dropping his weapon and following his friend.

Whatever might have been the various feelings of the unfortunate party,
the