Through the negroes Mike learned that to each of the four plantations adjoining their own four white prisoners had been assigned, and among these, Harry found, on obtaining their names, were the other five soldiers who had fought with him at Drogheda.

Mike soon took to going out at night with the negroes, making his way through a small opening in the light wall of the hut.  This was easily closed up on his return, and by choosing a time when the sentry was on the other side of the house, he had no difficulty in leaving or entering unseen.  By means of the negroes he opened up a communication with the other soldiers, and informed them that Colonel Furness bade them hold themselves in readiness when an opportunity for escape should arise.  It might be weeks or even months before this would come, but the signal would be given by a fire burning at daybreak upon a hill at no great distance from the plantation.  He bade them use their discretion as to taking any white slaves with them into their confidence.  At nightfall, after seeing the column of smoke, they were, as best they could, to make their way from the huts, and meet in a clump of trees near the house of Mr. Stebbings.

Harry had, indeed formed no distinct plan for escape; but he wished, should an opportunity offer, to have such a body of men at hand as might stand him in good stead.

One day, about a month after their arrival on the plantation, the overseer brutally beat an old negro who was working next to Mike.  The old man resumed his work, but was so feeble that he in vain endeavored to use his hoe, and the overseer struck him to the ground with the butt end of his whip.  Mike instinctively dropped his hoe and sprang to lift the old man to his feet.  The infuriated overseer, enraged at this interference, brought down his whip on Mike’s head and felled him by the side of the negro.  In an instant Harry sprang forward, armed with his hoe; the overseer seeing him coming, retreated a step or two, drew his pistol from his belt and fired—­the ball flew close to Harry’s ear, and the latter, whirling his hoe round his head, brought it down with his full strength upon that of the overseer; the man fell in his tracks as if smitten with lightning.  The guard ran up with his musket pointed, but Harry’s two companions also advanced, armed with their hoes, and the guard, seeing that even if he shot one, he should assuredly be killed by the others, took to his heels and ran off to the house.  A minute later Zachariah Stebbings with the four guards was seen running up to the spot.

“What is this?” he exclaimed furiously.  “Mutiny?”

“No, Master Stebbings,” Harry said calmly.  “We have, as you know, worked honestly and well, but your brutal overseer has broken the agreement we made, and struck this lad to the ground without any cause.  I, of course, carried out my part of the compact, though I doubt me the fellow is not killed.  His hat is a thick one, and may have saved his skull.  You had best leave matters alone.  I and my three men are a match for you and your guards, even though they have guns, and you best know if our services are worth anything to you.”