I feel as if I'd found a brother." "Thank you; suppose we consider ourselves such; a brother is what I've been hankering after ever since I can remember." "Agreed," said Harold.

"Perhaps," he added, with a melancholy smile, "we may find the fiction turned to fact some day, if you and one of my single sisters should happen to take a fancy to each other; that is, if we live to get out of this and to see home again." His tone at the last was very desponding.
"Cheer up," said Duncan, in a low, sympathizing tone, "I think we can find a way to escape; men have done so even from the Bastile--a far more difficult task, I should say." "What's your idea ?" "To dig our way out, working at night, and covering up the traces of our work by day." "Yes, it's the only way possible, so far as I can see," said Harold.

"I have already escaped twice in that way, but only to be retaken, and this is what I gained," shaking his chain, and pointing to the heavy ball attached.

"Yet, if I were rid of this, and possessed of a little more strength, I'd make a third attempt." "I think I could rid you of that little attachment," returned Duncan; "and the tunnel once ready, help you in the race for liberty." The others of the group were exchanging significant nods and glances.
"I think we may let Duncan into our secret," said Jones.

"We're digging a well; have gone down six feet; three feet below the surface is soapstone, so soft we can cut it with our jack-knives.