which he would have given much not to have entertained, forced itself upon his mind.  As a first measure, and that there might be no doubt whatever on the subject, he broke open the door.  Of course it was untenanted.  Upon a small table lay the remains of the settler’s last meal, but neither knife nor fork, both which articles had been interdicted, were to be found.  At the foot of the chair on which he had evidently been seated for the purpose of freeing himself, lay the heavy cords that had bound his ankles.  These had been severed in two places, and, as was discovered on close examination, by the application of some sharp and delicate cutting instrument.  No where, however, was this visible.  It was evident to Gerald that assistance had been afforded from some one within the cabin, and who that some one was, he scarcely doubted.  With this impression fully formed, he re-entered from the prison, and standing near the curtained berth occupied by the daughters of the Governor, questioned as to whether they were aware that his prisoner Desborough had escaped.  Both expressed surprise in so natural a manner, that Gerald knew not what to think; but when they added that they had not heard the slightest noise—­nor had spoken themselves, nor heard others speak, professing moreover ignorance that the lamp even had been extinguished, he felt suspicion converted into certainty.

It was impossible, he conceived, that a door, which stood only two paces from the bed, could be locked and unlocked without their hearing it—­neither was it probable that Desborough would have thought of thus needlessly securing the place of his late detention.  Such an idea might occur to the aider, but not to the fugitive himself, to whom every moment must be of the highest importance.  Who then could have assisted him?  Not Major Montgomerie, for he slept in the after part of the cabin—­not Miss Montgomerie, for she was upon deck—­moreover, had not one of those, he had so much reason to suspect, interceded for the fellow only on the preceding day.

Such was the reasoning of Gerald, as he passed rapidly in review the several probabilities—­but, although annoyed beyond measure at the escape of the villain, and incapable of believing other than that the daughters of the Governor had connived at it, his was too gallant a nature to make such a charge, even by implication, against them.  He was aware of the strong spirit of nationality existing every where among citizens of the United States, and he had no doubt, that in liberating their countryman, they had acted under an erroneous impression of duty.  Although extremely angry, he made no comment whatever on the subject, but contenting himself with wishing his charge a less than usually cordial good night, left them to their repose, and once more quitted the cabin.