I confess that I respired more freely when I found myself in the open air.  My companion took my direction, and I led him to the spot where Marble and Neb were still at work on their rope.  Great was their surprise on seeing me at large; and I thought the mate looked a little disappointed, though he comprehended the matter at once, as soon as he saw Drewett.

“If you had only waited till night, Miles,” Marble said, shaking his head as one menaces, “Neb and I would have shown that bloody gaol a seaman’s fashion of quitting it.  I’m almost sorry the occasion is lost, for it would have done their stomachs good to wake up at two bells, and find their cage empty.  I’ve half a mind to ask you to go back, boy!”

“But I’ve no mind to comply with the request; so do me the favour to have my bag carried back to our lodgings, where I intend to swing my hammock, again, to-night.—­Mr. Drewett, I must hasten to thank her to whom I owe my freedom;—­will you accompany me?”

Andrew excused himself; and receiving my thanks, once more we parted with a hearty shake of the hands.  I then hastened towards Wall street, and knocked at Lucy’s door; (there were knockers to good houses in New York, in 1804, a vile nuisance having been since well gotten rid of,) and I knocked at Lucy’s door, scarce conscious of the manner in which I had got there.  It was near the dinner-hour, and the footman was demurring about admitting a sailor-man, who hardly knew what he said, when a little scream from Chloe, who happened to see me, soon disposed of my claim for an entrance.

“Masser Mile!—­Masser Mile!—­I so grad—­dat feller, Neb, say you come home—­Oh!  Masser Mile, now I know dat de rascal at Clawbonny get druv’ off!”

This speech, confident as it was, a little cooled my ardour by reminding me I was a beggar, in the figurative meaning of the word.  Chloe led the way, however, and I was soon in the drawing-room, and in the presence of the youthful mistress of the house.  How gloriously beautiful did Lucy then appear!  She had dressed for dinner, as usual, but it was in the simplest and neatest manner.  Her face was radiant with the pleasure of seeing me where I was, and excitement had deepened the colour on her cheeks, which were never pale, except with emotions.  As for her eyes, I can only describe them by the homely phrase, that “they danced for joy.”

“Now, Miles,” she said, holding out both hands to meet me, “this is redeeming your pledge, and behaving as you should.  Andrew Drewett was delighted with an opportunity of doing something for the man who saved his life, and my only fear was of your obstinacy.”

“After all I have heard from Andrew Drewett, beloved Lucy, you never need fear anything from my obstinacy hereafter.  He not only has released my body from prison but he has released my spirits from the weight of a mountain, by honestly confessing you do not love him.”