Why did you not do it before ?" So, late on the evening appointed for the attempted escape, after taking an affectionate leave of his host and hostess, and putting a few necessary articles of apparel into a portmanteau strapped behind the saddle, Master Raymond started for Salem town.
Leaving the village to the right, he made good time to the town, meeting no one at that late hour.

He had covered the mare with a large horse-blanket, so that she should not easily be recognized by any one who might happen to meet them.

There was a night watchman in Salem town; but a party of sailors had undertaken to get him off the principal street at the appointed hour, by the offer of refreshments at one of their haunts; and by this time he was too full of Jamaica spirits to walk very steadily or see very clearly.
Arrived at the prison, Master Raymond found the Captain and mate of the "Albatross" impatiently awaiting him.

It was not full time yet, but they concluded to give the signal, three hoots of an owl; which the mate gave with great force and precision.

Still all seemed dark and quiet as before.
Then they waited, walking up and down to keep the blood in their veins in motion, as the nights were a little cool.
"It is full time now," said the Captain, "give the signal again, Brady." Brady gave it--if anything with greater force and precision than before.
But not a sign from within.
Had the jailer's courage given away at the last moment?
Or could he have betrayed them?
They paced up and down for an hour longer.