The two flung themselves upon the end of the bench leaping up and down so
as to add weight to power. Something had to give, either the stout wood of
their improvised lever or else the holding of the plank. For an instant it
seemed likely to be the former; then, with a shrill screech, the long
spikes yielded and the board suddenly gave. With shoulders inserted
beneath, the two men heaved it still higher, ramming the bench below so as
to leave the opening clear. This was now sufficiently ample for the
passage of a man's body, and Keith, lowering himself, discovered the earth
to be fully four feet below. The negro instantly joined him, and they
began creeping about in the darkness, seeking some way out. A rudely laid
foundation of limestone alone obstructed their path to the open air. This
had been laid in mortar, but of inferior quality, so that little
difficulty was experienced in detaching sufficient to obtain hand hold.
Working silently, not knowing what watchers might be already stationed
without, they succeeded in loosening enough of the rock to allow them to
crawl through, lying breathless in the open. Accustomed as they were to
the darkness, they could yet see little. They were upon the opposite side
from the town, with no gleam of lights visible, prairie and sky blending
together into spectral dimness, with no sound audible but the continued
quarrel in the front room of the jail. Keith crept along to the end of the
building from where he could perceive the lights of the town twinkling
dimly through the intense blackness. Evidently the regular evening
saturnalia had not yet begun, although there was already semblance of life
about the numerous saloons, and an occasional shout punctuated the
stillness. A dog howled in the distance, and the pounding of swift hoofs
along the trail told of fresh arrivals. An hour later and the single
street of Carson City would be alive with humanity, eager for any
excitement, ready for any wild orgy, if only once turned loose. That it
would be turned loose, and also directed, the man lying on his face in the
grass felt fully assured. He smiled grimly, wishing he might behold "Black