Upon seeing this, Jarette said something shortly to his followers and they drew back, the door was closed, and we were in total darkness once again.
“And all that trouble, care, and suffering for nothing, Dale,” said Mr Frewen, dolefully.
“For nothing?” I said, sitting up. “Do you call it nothing to have found out that we have three strong men on the other side ready to fight for us? I don’t.”
“I had forgotten that for the moment,” said my companion. “Yes, that is worth all our trouble; but I’m afraid poor Hampton will not venture to communicate with us again, so what do you say to beginning our sawing business once more?”
“Oh no: not to-night!” I said. “Perhaps Bob Hampton will be able to propose a better way next time he comes.”
“If he does come, my lad.”
“Ah, you don’t know him so well as I do, Mr Frewen. He is sure to come again.”
“I hope he will, my lad.”
“Oh, he will; and you see if he does not tell us to wait until he and Neb Dumlow are on guard. They’ll get us out and then help us to open the cabins one by one.”
“Nothing like being sanguine, my lad,” he said; “but there, it’s getting very late. Let’s sleep now.”