Thus spoke the jailer, and, departing, he slammed the door behind him, leaving the two alone together.
“This is kind,” said John, “coming to see me; but how did you effect an entrance here? Will you not excite suspicion in the minds of the British?”
“Never fear for that. I am pretty well known as a most devoted subject to the king, and were it not that my trade is useful to them, before this I should, doubtless, have been enrolled among the ranks of his supporters. As a relation of your wife’s, I persuaded the jailer to admit me. He and I are friends, by the way, and all is right in that quarter.”
“I suppose, of course, you have some object in this visit?” interrupted Vale, “and whatever it is, it had best be spoken of immediately, for I understood the jailer to say that you had but half an hour.”
“What could my object be but to speak of your release from this imprisonment? There is no question about it; if you are left here two days, your death is certain. I heard of the answer that you made to Gen. Clinton this morning, and that answer alone preserved your life through the day. Unless we do something to prevent it, day after to-morrow would scarce see you among the living.”
“But what is to be done? Can you effect my rescue from this place? I have thought of nothing but escape all day, but have hit upon no feasible plan as yet. They have even ironed me so that I can not reach the window, and, if I could, those stout iron bars would prevent my exit.”
“Supposing they would iron you, I took the liberty to bring you instruments with which you could effect the removal of the fetters, and work away at those iron bars which appear to be so great an impediment to your progress to freedom. Of course you know what caution means? and I advise you to use it. Wait till the jailer comes at nine o’clock before you work off the irons. After his visit, you will have plenty of time, and when the hour of three arrives, you may expect me on the outside with a ladder and saw, and, with what you may already have done, I think it will go hard if you are not off and away before sunrise.”
John Vale took the file and the little saw which the blacksmith gave him. His face brightened up instantly, and hope nerved him to action again.
“Have you concealment provided for me after I make my exit? There will be a hot search for me, I can tell you. I fear Gen. Clinton less by far than I do the vindictive search that the tory Turner will make.”
“If Cedar Swamp will do for a place of concealment, then I think there is one provided for you, impenetrable enough.”