Jack then stripped naked and made his approaches on all fours. Every time the French sentinel turned to countermarch on his post, Jack advanced a little, laying still when he approached. At last Jack got so near that he was fearful of being discovered and shot by the soldiers. He then waited till the Frenchman turned from him when he rose and making a long leap sprang upon the soldier whom he seized and held still. The sentinel attempted to give an alarm but Jack took away his musket, throttled, shook and kept him still. Finding himself enveloped in the arms of a black and [page break] 192 718 51. naked monster, the poor Frenchman was terrified and thought himself for some moments in the hands of Satan. He continued silent from fear. The free negro proved unequal to the task assigned him and ran away when he saw the struggle between Jack and his antagonist. Jack, however, kept his prisoner quiet, and the execution of the plot went on. The two white men approached the waggon and removed the covering when they perceived something move and rise up in the waggon. Supposing it to be a soldier guarding the treasure and that they had now encountered an unforeseen danger they became panic struck and fled leaving their black comrade alone. Jack soon perceived the scrape he was in and found it necessary to secure his safety, [page break] 719 195 52. but was afraid if he let his captive go, an immediate alarm would be the consequence, and his own escape impossible. No time, however, was to be lost, and quick decision became absolutely necessary. Jack took the best course the circumstances permitted. He loosed his grasp of the Frenchman, but, at the moment the latter moved away to resume his post, Jack gave him a blow which sent him sprawling upon the ground, (and he lay for some moments stunned) and ran immediately to the woods where he concealed himself and escaped.