Page:Famous Negro robber, and terror of Jamaica, or, The history and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/20

 what to do; the obstacles seemed insurmountable, and she gave up all as lost. The idea of Jack again awaking, and perhaps putting a period to the existence of her lover, for his attempting to escape, presented itself to her troubled mind—the agony of thus losing her lover, and the dreadful situation she saw him in, almost overcame her resolution. After some time spent in anxious thought, hope illuminated her heart. Near where she sat was placed a table, on which stood a lighted taper; and her only means was to consume the cord that bound her hands. Joyful at the idea, she drew the table nearer with her feet, and holding her hands over the light, burnt the cord. Now disengaged, she tied the end of the rope to the leg of the table; and falling on her knees, implored Heaven to aid her escape, and that of her faithful lover.

She returned to the cell wherein Orford was confined; but her heart sunk within her, when she beheld it fastened by a large padlock, the key of which she despaired of obtaining. After a long search, she cast her eye on it, and using several ineffectual efforts to get it down, she at length happenned to see a long stick, with which she unhung the key, and it fell with a great noise. Jack was aroused, but jerking the cord he held in his hand, found, as he supposed, his prisoner safe; and so renewed his slumber.

Rosa now softly approached the cell where her lover was confined, and unlocked the door with the greatest caution. Poor Orford fell senseless into her arms: his wounds were not very great, but he was faint for want of nourishment. She took up Jack's bottle of liquor, which was on the table, and poured some of it down his throat, which greatly revived him. He no sooner discovered his preserver