t'ing-um-bob."

"But do you really mean to tell me, Peter, that Ben-Ahmed intended me
and Hugh Sommers to escape?"

"Das really what I means to tell you, Geo'ge."

"Then why didn't you tell me all, this before, and save me from a deal
of uncertainty?"

"Cause, in de fuss' place, I had no time to tell you; in de second
place, I was ordered not to tell you; in de t'ird place, it's good for
midshipmen to be put on deir mettle, an' lef' to find deir own way out
ob diffikilties, an', in de fourf place, slabes hab no business to be
axin' de outs an' ins, de whys an' de wherefores of deir massa's
affairs."

"Well, I always knew Ben-Ahmed had a kind heart, but little thought it
was so kind and self-sacrificing as to buy Sommers for the very purpose
of setting him free. I regret, deeply, that I did not know this sooner,
and that I cannot now have the chance of thanking him with all my heart
and soul, and bidding the good man farewell. It is one comfort,
however, that I'll be able to send a message back by you. And I'm also
glad that I shall not have to part from you, my dear Peter, without
telling you how much I love you and how sorry, very, _very_ sorry, I am
to say good-bye."

"Geo'ge," returned the negro earnestly, "don't you count your cheekins
afore dey's hatched! You're not away yit."

Foster made no reply. To say truth, he felt a little hurt by the way in
which his protestations of regard were received, and, by way of changing
the subject, he asked if Peter had ever heard anything about the old
Dane and his wife and daughter who had been captured at the same time
with himself.

"Dey's bin ransom'd, all ob dem. Got rich friends, you see. Hole your
tongue now, Geo'ge, we's comin' to de place."

By that time Sommers and his daughter had overtaken the party. As they
all proceeded silently along the road, wondering how the matter would
end, they observed a figure, like that of a female, glide, as it were,
out of the darkness, and, taking Peter quietly by the arm, walk along
with him.

Impelled by curiosity, Foster went forward and looked into her face.

"Angelica!" he exclaimed in surprise.

"Ob course!" answered her husband for her, "you don't suppose de wife ob
Peter de Great would let Geo'ge Foster go away widout comin' to de boat
to see him off?"

Ere the middy could recover from his astonishment, the party came
suddenly upon a small cavern in which a light glimmered. At its
entrance lay a boat,