Cruel As The Grave

"Oh, dear Madam, don't speak of reward! I owe you a debt of gratitude,

which I am glad to pay. I have told you what I have done, and what I

shall do, to relieve you of anxiety; and now we had better quietly leave

the house. Are you ready?" inquired Munson.

"We have been quite ready for these two hours, in anticipation of your

help."

"Come, then; but come very silently, though there is not the slightest

danger, either, of our being heard. The farmer is a beer swiller, and

sleeps heavily, and his women folks all sleep up in the garret. I saw

them all go up myself; they passed with their candle, as I lay on the

pallet," whispered Munson, as he quietly led the way out into the hall

and softly closed and locked the door, and withdrew the key.

"It is just as well to do this, to guard against the chance of any one

opening the door while I am gone," he added, as he softly preceded the

party down the stairs.

He silently opened the front door, and they passed out into the free

air.

A watch-dog that lay upon the mat outside got up and wagged his tail,

and laid down again, as if to express his willingness that any inmate

might leave the house who wished to do so, though no stranger should

enter it except over his dead body.

"Sensible dog!" said Munson, as with more precaution he closed and

locked the outer door, and took that key also with him.

"You must not attempt to escape with your wagon; but must ride your

horses, which will be much more efficacious both for swiftness and for

their ability to go through places where you could not take a wagon,"

said Munson, as they walked across the farm-yard.

But when they drew near the stable, they were set upon by a couple of

watch-dogs, who, barking furiously, barred their farther progress.

"There is no other way!" exclaimed Munson, and drawing a double

barrelled pistol from his pocket, he shot one dog dead, while the other

ran howling away.

Then with some difficulty they forced the door, and while Lyon remained

on the outside with Sybil, young Munson entered the stable and led out

their two horses.

"Here are several bridles, and here is one side-saddle, which will suit

Mrs. Berners, if you have no scruple about borrowing them," suggested

Munson.

"I should have no scruple about borrowing anything from anybody to aid

my wife's escape. Besides, there is my wagon more than double the value

of the things that we require; I will leave that in pledge," said Mr.

Berners.

"Just so," assented Munson.

And all this time he had been arranging the side-saddle and bridle upon

Sybil's horse. As soon as it was ready Mr. Berners came around to lift

his wife into her seat.