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THE FLIGHT FOR LIBERTY.
231

"I spilt some of the stew on the ground," he said, which was true, although the amount had not been large. "Can I have more?"

"Yes, take what you will," returned the insurgent chief, who felt in good humor, through having obtained a leave of absence, to start on the morning following. "And give some to your friends. We'll fill up for once."

"Thank you," answered Larry, and hurried to the other prisoners with the big pot from over the fire. The prisoners had a large tin kettle for water, fitted with a cover so that bugs might be kept out, and this he filled to the brim, and also gave the others all they wished.

"Going to eat all of that?" queried one of the men, with a short laugh.

"Sometime—not now," answered Larry. Then he took the pot back to the fire and carried his bowl and the kettle into the cave. At once Leroy followed him.

"And now, what's this nonsense you're talkin' about running away?" demanded the Yorktown sailor, as soon as they were alone.

"I'm going to try my luck to-night, Leroy. If you don't want to go, you can stay with the others."