“Who speaks my name?”
“Bart,” replied the other. “You know what I'm after. Can one of the barks between us be removed without alarming your keeper?”
“I fear—but he seems asleep—try it,” was the measured and hesitating reply.
After slightly essaying several of the pieces of the bark he wished to remove, he at length commenced operations at the bottom of one of them, and gently forcing it aside, inch by inch, in a short time effected an opening sufficient, as he judged, for the egress of the captives, and that too, he felt confident, without attracting the attention of the dozing guard.
“Now feel your way out; and, without stirring a twig or leaf creep on after me,” whispered Bart.
And receding a few paces from the opening, he paused to await the result. In a moment he had the satisfaction of perceiving a female form slowly emerging from the narrow passage into the open air without.
Supposing her companion to be immediately behind, he now, with a whispered word of encouragement, led the way from the spot. With frequent pauses, both to assure himself that he was followed by his charge, and to listen for any stir among the foe that should indicate a discovery of the escape, he continued to creep forward till he encountered Dunning, when, the latter taking the lead, they all moved on, one after another, in the same cautious manner as before, and soon reached the landing in safety; out as they emerged from the bushes, and the hunter turned to congratulate the ladies on their escape, it was now, for the first time, discovered that but one of them was present.
“Bart, how is this? ditter tell me—where is the other?” demanded Dunning, in a tone of disappointment and vexation.
But Bart, equally disappointed and perplexed, was mute; and the lady, who proved to be Miss Howard, replied,—
“Miss Haviland, if not retaken, is now wandering in the woods.”