"Nonsense," exclaimed Crockston; "a prisoner thinks more of escaping than his guardian thinks of keeping him; that's why, thanks to our help, Mr. Halliburtt will be saved." "You are right, Crockston." "Always right." "But now what will you do? There must be some plan: and there are precautions to be taken." "I will think about it." "But when Miss Jenny learns that her father is condemned to death, and that the order for his execution may come any day--" "She will know nothing about it, that is all." "Yes, it will be better for her and for us to tell her nothing." "Where is Mr. Halliburtt imprisoned?" asked Crockston. "In the citadel," replied James Playfair. "Just so! . . . On board now?" "On board, Crockston!" Chapter VIII THE ESCAPE Miss Jenny, sitting at the poop of the _Dolphin_, was anxiously waiting the Captain's return; when the latter went up to her she could not utter a word, but her eyes questioned James Playfair more eagerly than her lips could have done. The latter, with Crockston's help, informed the young girl of the facts relating to her father's imprisonment. He said that he had carefully broached the subject of the prisoners of war to Beauregard, but, as the General did not seem disposed at all in their favour, he had thought it better to say no more about it, but think the matter over again. "Since Mr. Halliburtt is not free in the town, his escape will be more difficult; but I will finish my task, and I promise you, Miss Jenny, that the _Dolphin_ shall not leave Charleston without having your father on board." "Thank you, Mr. James; I thank you with my whole heart." At these words James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole being. He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips; perhaps he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could no longer repress, when Crockston interfered: "This is no time for grieving," said he; "we must go to work, and consider what to do." "Have you any plan, Crockston?" asked the young girl. "I always have a plan," replied the American: "it is my peculiarity." "But a good one?" said James Playfair. "Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a better; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board." Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with such simplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person who could doubt his words. "We are listening, Crockston," said James Playfair. "Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of him which he will not refuse you." "And what is that?"