Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/20

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of the table ; and, falling upon her knees, implored Heaven to aid her escape, and that of her faithful lover.

She returned to the cell wherein Orford was confined ; but her heart sunk within her, when she beheld it fastened by a large padlock, the key of which she despaired of obtaining. After a long search, she cast her eye on it, and using several ineffectual efforts to get it down, she at length happened to see a long stick, with which she unhung the key, and it fell with a great noise. Jack was aroused, but jerking the cord he held in his hand, found, as he supposed, his prisoner safe ; and so renewed his slumber.

Rosa now softly approached the cell where her lover was confined, and unlocked the door with the greatest caution. Poor Orford fell senseless into her arms : his wounds were not great, but he was faint for want of nourishment. She took up Jack’s bottle of liquor, which was on the table, and poured some of it down his throat, which greatly revived him He no sooner discovered his preserver than he was, about to make his grateful acknowledgements ; but Rosa checked him.

Fresh obstacles again presented themselves to impede the escape of the lovers. Jack had secured the ladder, and he lay beneath the mouth of his cave ; but this obstacle was soon obviated. They placed the table astride him as cautiously as possible, on,which they also put the stool. Rosa ascended, and Orford followed. As he slept from the stool, down fell the apparatus.—Jack started up in a fury, and fixed the ladder—but Orford drew it up, and left him raging like a madman, vowing their immediate destruction.

He accordingly, urged by his fury, climbed up the rock, and had nearly reached the top, when