"That is much easier said than done," returned his captain; "forward,
Mr. Amphibious, you can walk like a postman--move to the front, and
proclaim the magical word, 'loyalty;' 'tis a standing countersign, ready
furnished to my hands by mine hosts the colonel; your road is then clear
before you--but hark----"
Manual made an eager step forward, when, recollecting himself, he
turned, and added: "My assistants, the seamen! I can do nothing without
them."
"Lo! the keys are in the doors, ready for my admission," said the
Englishman; "turn them, and bring out your forces."
Quick as thought, Manual was in the room of Griffith, to whom he briefly
communicated the situation of things, when he reappeared in the passage,
and then proceeded on a similar errand to the room of the Pilot.
"Follow, and behave as usual," he whispered; "say not a word, but trust
all to me."
The Pilot arose, and obeyed these instructions without asking a
question, with the most admirable coolness.
"I am now ready to proceed," said Manual, when they had joined
Borroughcliffe.
During the short time occupied in these arrangements, the sentinel and
his captain had stood looking at each other with great military
exactitude, the former ambitious of manifesting his watchfulness, the
latter awaiting the return of the marine. The captain now beckoned to
Manual to advance and give the countersign.
"Loyalty," whispered Manual, when he approached the sentinel.
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