Willoughby knew the hand at a glance.  He would have recognised it, in that forest solitude, by its symmetry and whiteness, its delicacy and its fullness; but one of the taper fingers wore a ring that, of late, Maud had much used; being a diamond hoop that she had learned was a favourite ornament of her real mother’s.  It is not surprising, therefore, that he seized the pledge that was thus strangely held forth, and had covered it with kisses, before Maud had presence of mind sufficient, or strength to reclaim it.  This she would not do, however, at such a moment, without returning all the proofs of ardent affection that were lavished on her own hand, by giving a gentle pressure to the one in which it was clasped.

“This is so strange, Maud!—­so every way extraordinary, that I know not what to think,” the young man whispered soon as he could get a glimpse of the face of the sweet girl.  “Why are you here, beloved, and in such company?”

“You will trust me, Bob—­Nick comes as your friend.  Aid him all you can, now, and be silent.  When free, then will be the time to learn all.”

A sign of assent succeeded, and the major withdrew a step, in order to ascertain the course Nick meant to pursue.  By this time, the Indian was at work with his knife, and he soon passed the chisel in to the prisoner, who seized it, and commenced cutting into the logs, at a point opposite to that where the Tuscarora was whittling away the wood.  The object was to introduce the saw, and it required some labour to effect such a purpose.  By dint of application, however, and by cutting the log above as well as that below, sufficient space was obtained in the course of a few minutes.  Nick then passed the saw in, through the opening, it exceeding his skill to use such a tool with readiness.

By this time, Willoughby was engaged with the earnestness and zeal of the captive who catches a glimpse of liberty.  Notwithstanding, he proceeded intelligently and with caution.  The blanket given him by his captors, as a pallet, was hanging from a nail, and he took the precaution to draw this mil, and to place it above the spot selected for the cut, that he might suspend the blanket so as to conceal what he was at, in the event of a visit from without.  When all was ready, and the blanket was properly placed, he began to make long heavy strokes with the tool, in a way to deaden the sound.  This was a delicate operation; but the work’s being done behind the blanket, had some effect in lessening the noise.  As the work proceeded, Willoughby’s hopes increased; and he was soon delighted to hear from Nick, that it was time to insert the saw in another place.  Success is apt to induce carelessness; and, as the task proceeded, Willoughby’s arm worked with greater rapidity, until a noise at the door gave the startling information that he was about to be visited.  There was just time to finish the last cut, and to let the blanket fall, before the door opened.  The saw-dust and chips had all been carefully removed, as the work proceeded, and of these none were left to betray the secret.