.. We could hear the measured tread of a squad overhead tramping
away until the thump, thump, thumping sank into a faint indistinct
vibration which was caught up by the beating of our hearts and
the throbbing of our fascinated and incredulous ears.... 'Well!'
ejaculated my amused '_prisoner_'; 'It'll be exceedingly interesting
to read the future accounts of my double execution. I am sure my
family will read it with greater interest than they've ever manifested
in any of London's or Gorky's fanciful novels!'... 'I assume that you
will not be surprised to learn that you have some mighty good friends
in that crowd outside,' I ventured.... 'Oh, not at all,' my prisoner
returned, 'and I venture to say that your friend from Gallipoli will
find it convenient to contribute to the general misunderstanding
and confusion by allowing the suspected executioners to air their
conflicting explanations of my disappearance.'
"'_We haven't disappeared yet, my friend!_' I grumbled, as we turned
back in the direction of our underground camp.... 'If we had some
shovels it would solve the problem; but the way we're fixed it looks
like a case of starvation or surrender for the whole of us,--we can't
stay down here indefinitely!'... 'Patience, _courage_, my friend,' my
'prisoner' replied whole-heartedly; 'this is the first time in my life
I have been absolutely alone, the first moment in our lives we have
been positively FREE!'.
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