The captain bent down to take it, but found he could not reach it without endangering his equilibrium.

They both made some desperate efforts to accomplish the feat, but the thing was impossible.
"I see no help for it," said the missionary, "but to ascend all three again." "That is awkward," said the captain.
"Gentlemen," said Willis, "three o'clock is striking on the prison clock; the warder will be round in two minutes." "God sometimes permits good actions to go _unrewarded_," said the missionary; "but he never _punishes_ them." "Let us re-ascend, then," said the captain.
"So be it," said Willis, going upwards.
They had scarcely time to re-enter the cell before they heard the sound of steps and the clank of keys in the corridor.

The steps discontinued at their door, and a key was thrust into the lock.
"What is the matter ?" cried the captain from his bed, as the gaoler thrust his head inside the door.
"Why," said the warder, "I heard a noise, and thought that your honor might be ill." "Thank you for your attention, Ambroise," replied the captain, in a half sleepy tone; "but you have been deceived, we are all quite well." "Entirely so," added the missionary.
"All right old fellow!" cried Willis, with a yawn.
This triple affirmation, which assured him, not only of the health, but also of the custody of his prisoners, seemed satisfactory to the gaoler.
"I am sorry to have awoke your honors," said he, as he withdrew his head and relocked the door; "it must have been in the room overhead." "Good ?" said Willis, "the old rascal expects nothing." Two well-lined purses were laid on the table, and in a few minutes more the three men resumed their position on the ladder in the same order as before.

They arrived safely in the boat, where they were cordially welcomed by Fritz and Jack.

The men were then ordered to pull for their lives to the ship, which they did with a hearty will.
The instant they stepped on board the anchor was weighed, and when morning broke not a vestige of the old tower of Havre de Grace was anywhere to be seen.
"Why," exclaimed the captain, looking about him with an air of astonishment, "this is my own vessel!" "Yes, captain," said Willis, touching his cap, "and I am its boatswain or pilot, whichever your honor chooses to call me." "But how did you obtain possession of her ?" "By right of purchase she belongs to our friends, Masters Fritz and Jack, but they have agreed to waive their claim, providing you proceed with them to New Switzerland." "I agree most willingly to these conditions," said Captain Littlestone, addressing the two brothers, "the more so that my destination was Sydney when the _Nelson_ was captured." "In the meantime, captain," said Fritz, "my brother and I have to request that you will resume the command, and treat us as passengers." "Thank you, my friends, thank you.