Cruel As The Grave

"I observed that he tried to attract my particular attention whenever we

happened to be unnoticed for a moment. But as we were so very closely

watched I had no opportunity of asking, or he of telling, what he

meant," said Lyon Berners.

"Then I will tell you all about it. When Mr. Purley went away with you,

and left that young man guarding me, the first thing he did was to make

himself known to me, and to place himself at my service even to the

death!"

"Who was he?"

"Robert Munson; a boy that I was so fortunate as to be kind to in his

childhood and mine. Afterwards he was a private soldier in Captain

Pendleton's company, and served under him for eight years, fighting the

Indians on the frontier. At Captain Pendleton's suggestion, and with his

own hearty free will, he volunteered for this service of pursuing me,

only that he might more effectually try to free me."

"Sybil, what are you saying? Have we a friend in one of our captors?"

exclaimed Lyon, in astonishment.

"Yes; a friend who will serve us to the death! Listen, dear Lyon, and I

will tell you all about it," answered Sybil.

And she commenced, and related all the circumstances of her acquaintance

with Robert Munson; of his motives for entering upon his present

avocation, and of his discovery of himself to her in the hotel at

Portsmouth.

"Now may heaven grant that some day I may have an opportunity of

rewarding that good fellow for his willing service, whether it ever

avail us or not," said Lyon Berners, earnestly.

"But dear Lyon, we must be very careful not to betray by any word or

look that we have any acquaintance, much less understanding, with

Munson, for to do so would be to ruin our only chance of escape," said

Sybil.

"Of course! of course! I understand that perfectly well!"

"But watch your opportunity, and when you feel it to be perfectly safe,

communicate with Robert Munson.

"I understand, dear Sybil, and I shall be very prudent and very

vigilant," answered Mr. Berners.

And then they retired to rest.

Very early the next morning they were aroused by their keeper who never

left his post at their door until he saw them come out of their room.

And then he drew Mrs. Berner's arm within his own and led her down to

breakfast.

After breakfast they resumed their journey.

This first day and night on the road was a type of all that followed.

The bailiff Purley never lost sight of his charge except at night, and

then he first assured himself that her room was a secure prison, from

which it would be impossible for her to escape; and then, to make

assurance doubly sure, he always locked the door on the outside, put the

key into his pocket, and stretched himself on a mattress across the

threshold.