They were below my range of vision, but a moment later I heard the sounds of scattered shots, and saw the sharp flash of firing.

I was still clinging to the bars, trying to determine what it all meant, when the door was opened.
The light of a lantern in his hand revealed a green and white uniform, and the deeply seamed face of a man of fifty.
"Quick now, yer damned rebel," he said hoarsely.

"Be up an' lam me one, an' here's the rope." "What!" "Didn't yer hear?
or wasn't yer told the game?
Sufferin' Moses, it's got to be played swift, or ye'll lie here an' rot.

That's what that bald-headed skate is out thar leadin' 'em off for.

I'm ter come in wid yer supper; ye slug me first sight, bind me up wid the rope, and skip.
'Tis a dirty job, but the friends of ye pay well for it, so come on now." I comprehended the plan in a flash.