As the guard passed the door, one of the prisoners gave a knock.
“What now?” inquired the guard, thrusting his face up against an opening in the door, covered by iron bars.
“It is Captain Amherst,” spoke up John Lowden, feigning to be in great fright. “He is as pale as death, and mutters strangely. We fear he is like to expire in our midst.”
The trick worked. The guard peered over toward where I was lying, while the candle above me flickered on the paste on my face. Despite the need of maintaining the character I had assumed, I felt the dough cracking in a dozen places, as I tried hard not to laugh. It was solemn enough, but, somehow, I wanted to burst out in a roar, as I thought of how I must look.
My appearance evidently disarmed the suspicion of the guard, for, with an exclamation of surprise, he threw open the door, and advanced a little way into the room, holding his tin-pierced lantern high above his head.
Yet he did not lose all caution, being alone. He kept hold of the edge of the door, ready to close it at a moment’s notice. But the few steps he came in served the purpose. Lowden, who had stepped to one side, silently and suddenly sprang for the guard, and grasped him by the throat. The cry the wretch would have given utterance to, was choked in his teeth, and was only a gurgle.
The next instant I was up, and at his side. He seemed to lose his courage, when my pale face was near to his. Lowden gave place to me, and I crooked my fingers about the guard’s neck. He struggled so I was afraid he would get loose and make a noise that would have brought them all about us. So I was forced to grip the man rather tighter than I meant.
He did not cease his efforts to free himself, and, being fearful that our plan would miscarry by reason of his continued struggle, I put forth a little too much muscle. I bent his head back, with great force,--there was a sudden ceasing of the guard’s resistance. I heard the bones and sinews snap. Then I knew I had broken his neck. He fell in a limp mass at my feet. I was somewhat sorry, though he would have served me the same, and it was a fair war. However, there was no time for regret.
“Quick, now!” I shouted. Lowden had swung the door open, and the prisoners, men and women, crowded into the outer room.
The noise of the rush had alarmed the relief squad of guards on the second floor, and they ran down. Though most of them were stupid with sleep, some had their flint-locks, and these, without a moment’s hesitation, fired into our midst. Three fell dead, one a woman, and several were sorely hurt.