Black Donald, who had been prowling about the premises evening after

evening, watching his opportunity to effect his nefarious object, soon

discovered the outward bound stampede of the negroes, and the

unprotected state in which the old house, for that night only, would be

left. And he determined to take advantage of the circumstance to

consummate his wicked purpose.

In its then defenceless condition he could easily have mustered his

force and carried off his prize without immediate personal risk. But,

as we said before, he eschewed violence, as being likely to provoke

after effects of a too fatal character.

He resolved rather at once to risk his own personal safety in the

quieter plan of abduction which he had formed.

He determined that as soon as it should be dark he would watch his

opportunity to enter the house, steal to Cap's chamber, secrete himself

in a closet, and when all should be quiet, "in the dead waste and

middle of the night," he would come out, master her, stop her mouth and

carry her off.

When it became quite dark he approached the house, and hid himself

under the steps beneath the back door leading from the hall into the

garden, to watch his opportunity of entering. He soon found that his

enterprise required great patience as well as courage. He had to wait

more than two hours before he heard the door unlocked and opened.

He then peered out from his hiding-place and saw old Hurricane taking

his way out towards the garden.

Now was his time to slip unperceived into the house. He stealthily came

out from his hiding-place, crept up the portico stairs to the back

door, noiselessly turned the latch, entered and closed it behind him.

He had just time to open a side door on his right hand and conceal

himself in a wood closet under the stairs, when he heard the footsteps

of Old Hurricane returning.

The old man came in and Black Donald laughed to himself to hear with

what caution he locked, bolted and barred the doors to keep out

house-breakers!

"Ah, old fellow, you are fastening the stable after the horse has been

stolen!" said Black Donald to himself.

As soon as old Hurricane had passed by the closet in which the outlaw

was concealed, and had gone into the parlor, Black Donald determined to

risk the ascent into Capitola's chamber. From the description given by

his men, who had once succeeded in finding their way thither, he knew

very well where to go.

Noiselessly, therefore, he left his place of concealment and crept out

to reconnoitre the hall, which he found deserted.




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