This was said by Miss Delmayne, a niece of Mrs. Gannat.  Jack caught her eye as she spoke, and instantly realized the covert meaning.  How stupid he had been!  Of course, Barney must be apprised of the rescue, and what time more propitious than the present?  But, unfortunately, he had not provided himself with the tools for the emergency.  What could be done?  He suddenly remembered a bayonet he had seen near the guard-room.  It was lying unnoticed on the bench.

“I must have a drink before I answer a plea so urgent.  Amuse the prisoner while I slake my thirst.”

Barney was lying at the far end of the narrow, boarded cage.  He raised his head as the group halted before his door, but gave no sign of interest as this dialogue was carried on: 

“Prisoner,” said the aide, magisterially, “come to the door.”

“Jailer, what shall I come to the door for?” Barney mimicked indolently.

“Because I hid you, sir.”

“Not a reason in law, sir.”

“I’ll have the guard haul you here.”

“Then he’ll have a mighty poor haul, as King James said when he caught the Orange troopers in the Boyne.”

“I’ll teach you, sir, to defy a commissioned officer!”

“I’ve learned that already; but if you’re a school-teacher I’ll decline the verb ‘will’ for you.”

“Guard, hustle that beast forward.”

“Guard, don’t give yourself the trouble.”  And Barney arose nimbly and came to the grating.  “O captain, dear, why didn’t ye tell me there were ladies here?  You could have spared your eloquence and your authority if you had told me that the star of beauty, the smile of angels, the—­”

“Never mind, sir; be respectful, and wait till you’re spoken to.”

“Then, captain, dear, do you profit by your own advice; let the ladies talk.  I’m all ears, as the rabbit said to the weasel.”

But at this interesting point of the combat Jack returned, and, pushing-to the door, cried, as if in surprise, “Hello, Barney, boy, what are you doing here?”

“Diverting the ladies, Jack, dear, and giving the captain a chance to practice command, for fear he’ll not get a show in battle.”  The roar that saluted this retort subdued the bumptious cavalier, and he affected deep interest in the whispered questions of one of the young women in the rear of the group.

“You’re the same old Barney.  Marc Anthony gave up the world for a kiss, you’d capitulate a kingdom for a joke,” Jack said, striving to catch Barney’s eye and warn him to be prudent.

“Well, Jack, dear, between the joke and the kiss, I think I’d go out of the world better satisfied with the kiss; at all events, it wouldn’t be dacent to say less with so many red lips forninst me,” and Barney winked untold admiration at the laughing group before him, all plainly delighted with his conquest of the captain.

“But, Barney, you should be thinking of more serious things.”