called for a taste.

"You shust vait a minute till Gad trinks it all up, then you shall pe
velcome to vot ish left," said Carl. And, possessing himself of the
bottle, he handed it up to his comrades.

All the soldiers above were asleep except the sentinels. They drank
freely, and returned the bottle to Gad. He had not finished it before he
began to be overcome by drowsiness, its contents having been drugged for
the occasion.

He sat down on the stairs, and soon slid off upon the ground. Carl, who
had not in reality swallowed a drop, followed his example. Their guns
were then taken from them. Penn stole softly up the stairs, and
reconnoitred while Grudd and his companions opened the passage in the
wall.

"All asleep!" Penn whispered, descending. "Carl!"

Carl opened one eye, with a droll expression.

"Are you asleep?"

"Wery!" said Carl.

"Will you stay here, or go with us?"

"You vill take me prisoner?"

"If you wish it."

"Say you vill plow my brains out if I say vun vord, or make vun noise."

"Come, come! there's no time for fooling, Carl!"

"It ish no vooling!" And Carl insisted on Penn's making the threat.
"Veil, then, I vill vake up and go 'long mit you."

Mr. Villars had been for some time sleeping soundly; for it was now long
past midnight, and weariness had overcome him. Penn awoke him; but the
old man refused to escape. "Go without me. I shall be too great a burden
for you." But not one of his fellow-prisoners would consent to leave him
behind; and, listening to their expostulations, he at length arose to
accompany them.

Stackridge was in the passage, with the old man Ellerton, whom Penn had
sent to warn him. They had brought a supply of ammunition for the guns,
which they had loaded and placed ready for use. Penn, supporting and
guiding the old minister, was the first to pass through into the cellar
under Jim's shop. Stackridge, preceding them with a lantern, greeted
their escape with silent and grim exultation. Carl came next. Then, one
by one, the others followed, each grasping his gun; the rays of the
lantern lighting up their determined faces, as they emerged from the low
passage, and stood erect, an eager, whispering group, around Stackridge.

Brief the consultation. Their plans were soon formed. Leaving Gad asleep
in the cellar behind them; the guard asleep, the soldiers all asleep, in
the room above; the sentinels outside the old storehouse keeping watch,
pacing to and fro around