he had done, and had already resolved to completely reform if the
opportunity were offered to him; but Robert Bramble was outraging the
laws of nature and of God.





CHAPTER XV.

THE ESCAPE.




CHARLES BRAMBLE found himself playing a dangerous part. It was true that
Leonard Hust had freed his hands from those shackles that had confined
them so long, and had pointed out to him the way to retreat and escape;
but he must run the gauntlet of dangers in order to do so. This,
however, he was prepared to do; as to fear, it was a sensation he knew
not; but prudence was much more requisite in this instance than any
especial degree of courage. As is always the case on board a man-of-war,
especially when lying in port, where the escape to the shore is easy,
sentinels were placed at stem, stern and waist of the English ship, at
all hours, pacing their allotted round of the deck, and keeping watchful
guard over every avenue of exit from the vessel.

The only possible plan of escape that suggested itself to Charles
Bramble, under the circumstances, was to place a few necessary articles
of clothing in a small package, and confine it to the back of his neck,