Lot on 'em clim' over the row o' lights, yellin' luk wildcats, 'n'
hauled thet air mis'able cuss out o' the grave, 'n' stud 'im up,
'n' gin 'im a drink o' liquor. In half a minute he up with his
han'kerchief 'n' waved it over 'is head t' mek 'em keep still.
Soon 's they wus quiet he up 'n' he says: 'Gentlemen,' says he,
'this 'ere chap hes stood the test o' the sword. Are ye
satisfied?' 'We are,' says they--ev'ry British son uv a gun they
wus there up 'n' hollered, 'Then,' says he, 'giv' 'im th' slide.'

"Ray he put down 'is sword 'n' picked up 'is coat 'n' vest. Then
they grabbed th' lights, 'n' thet 's th' last I see on' em there.
Purty quick 'twus all dark. Hearn 'em comin' upstairs 'n goin'
'cross th' floor over my head. 'Gun t' think o' myself a leetle
bit then. Knowed I was in thet air slide, an' hed t' le' go purty
quick. Hed n't no idee where it went tew, but I cal'lated I wus
middlin' sure t' know 'fore long. Knowed when I le' go I wus goin'
t' dew some tall slippin' over thet air greased bottom. See a
light come down th' box 'n a minute. Hearn somebody speakin' there
et the upper end.

"'This 'ere's th' las' test o' yer courage,' says a man, says he;
'few comes here alive 'n' sound es you be. Ye wus a doomed man.
Ye 'd hev been shot at daylight, but we gin ye a chance fer yer
life. So fur ye 've proved yerself wuthy. Ef ye hold yer courage,
ye may yit live. Ef ye flinch, ye 'll land in heaven. Ef yer life
is spared, remember how we honor courage.'

"Then they gin 'im a shove, 'n' I hearn 'im a-comin'. I flopped
over 'n' le' go. Shot away luk a streak o' lightnin'. Dum thing
grew steeper 'n' steeper. Jes' hel' up my ban's 'n' let 'er go