summon our tribe to arms,
having resolved to rescue you by force had my undertaking failed."

"I am most grateful to you," said Nigel. "But by what wonderful means
were you able to enter my prison and liberate me without apparent
difficulty?"

"By means which these cruel priests themselves afforded," answered Cora.
"When they were building their prison-house, Tecumah and I happened to
pass that way and observed that they were placing it on the ground once
occupied by an ancient temple at which, in days gone by, our tribe were
wont to worship. One of our medicine-men, who had listened to the truth
from Tecumah's mouth, told us that there were several passages running
underground which had possibly been undiscovered by the builders. He is
a sagacious man, and, finding that the new building was intended for a
prison, advised us to visit the ancient passage and endeavour to keep it
concealed, so that a way might be made if necessary into the dungeon.
`The whites treat us at present with respect,' he observed; `but the
time may come when they may act towards us as the Portuguese have long
been acting towards the Indians in their neighbourhood, imprisoning and
murdering those who refuse to adopt their faith.' My brother
accordingly, with several other young men, led by the medicine-man, paid
numerous visits, at night, to the place, unknown to the French. It was
thus discovered that an underground passage was being formed between
some of the cells of the prison and the church. Fortunately this was
found out before the old passage was cut through, and by placing a large
stone, turning on a sort of hinge, on one side, they were able to secure
a way into the new passage without betraying the existence of their own.
By constantly being on the watch, they ascertained that only one cell
had as yet been formed into which the passage led. I had resolved when
you were made prisoner to attempt your rescue even from the fort; but
when I found that you were carried to the priests' prison my hopes of
success arose. I had one night, from curiosity, gone with my brother to
visit the spot. We then discovered that the door which led into your
prison had no lock, but was merely closed with smooth sliding bolts. I
thus knew my way, and was able to set you free."

Nigel had no doubt that the object of the passage was to enable the
priests either to work on the minds of the prisoners by pretended
miraculous appearances; or else, shoul