Where could she be now?
Chauncy knew from the expressive look the lovely Donna had given him, as in obedience to his command she rode away and left him, that he was the first object of her affection.
He could not help feeling highly elated as he thought of this, and he quite forgot for a time that he was a prisoner.
When he did remember this he also remembered the fact that while the three prisoners were watching the riding of Barry Le Clare, the guide had whispered in his ear that if he and the Frenchman did get off they would do their best to rescue the young man.
He had often heard his father tell tales about the guide, and he knew that when Ralph said he would do a thing he would go through fire and water in order to accomplish it.
The afternoon passed slowly away and at length the shades of night began to cover the face of the earth.
The moon being on the decline would not rise until very late, and there would be several hours of darkness before the earth would be lighted up with her bright rays.
Whatever was to be done must be done during this period of darkness. Barry had retired soon after sunset.
An hour passed and then another and another.
The village was quiet, no unusual noise breaking the silence of the night, but the occasional barking of some dog or the neighing of a horse. The Comanches were fast asleep and the two guards who walked around the prison-lodge were beginning to feel drowsy themselves.