“No, Madame, yet I have been aboard the ’Santa Maria,’—­though in truth ’twas not altogether an enjoyable experience,—­and now know precisely where the prisoners are confined, even to the room of the Chevalier.  If you will listen patiently I will briefly relate the story; then we can outline together our further plans for the night.  Are we alone?”

Both nodded, far too eager to waste time in words, and as rapidly as possible I described those incidents already narrated.  At the close Eloise simply thanked me in silence with an appreciative glance, but the priest proved more demonstrative.

“Thou hast, indeed, accomplished much, my son,” he exclaimed impulsively, clasping and unclasping the slender fingers of his white hands nervously.  “Surely but for our fervent prayers the good Lord would never have led you amid such imminent and deadly peril.  Yet to me the venture appeareth even more hopeless than before.  You made mention of plans; shall we not discuss such at once, for the rapidly speeding time must greatly press us.  The great Apostle once said, in connection with the work of the Spirit, ‘Brethren, the time is short’; it seemeth a fit text for us even now.”

“It is too early for action,” I replied thoughtfully.  “I require food, and it will be best to delay until a late hour before moving in such a scheme as mine.  As to plans—­faith, the word was ill-chosen if I used it, for excepting the mode already outlined for attaining the deck, I have none.  Yet there are certain matters I require to have arranged before I depart.  Madame de Noyan, can you furnish me with a strong boat and two stout oarsmen?  They must be men to trust, who will care little where they go.”

“It shall be done,” she answered promptly, her eyes brightening.  “Alphonse will gladly go, and he can select another from among the slaves.”

“The Chevalier, can he swim if occasion arise?”

“He is perfectly at home in the water.”

“Good; then we need run no extra risk by keeping a boat beside the frigate.  Let it await our coming beneath the darkest shadows of the cotton sheds near the North Gate.  Have them place within it my rifle and ammunition, together with whatever weapons of war your husband may be accustomed to use; see that the boat be well provisioned for a long voyage, as it will require much travel before we get beyond Spanish reach, and we go not into a region of settlements.  Bid the men exhibit no light, nor converse above whispers.  My word to them will be ‘Virginia’; they are to pay heed to no other.  You understand all this?”

“It is engraven upon my heart,” she responded gravely.  “You need have no fear.”

“That I think will be all you can do to aid success—­nay, wait! instruct them also, if we have not arrived before the dawn to bide no longer; it will be useless.”

“Oh, say not so, Geoffrey Benteen,” she cried, a sudden sob evidencing the strain upon her.  “Surely the good God will aid us now.”