"Let us remain where we are. Strip off your coat and waistcoat, and
breathe as quietly and easily as you can. Every hour the crowd will
thin, and we may yet hold on till morning."
This conversation had been held in a low voice. Charlie then turned to
the girl.
"How are you feeling, Ada?" he asked cheerfully. "It's hot, isn't it!"
"It is dreadful," the girl panted, "and I seem choking from want of
air; and oh, Captain Marryat, I am so thirsty!"
"It is hot, my dear, terribly hot, but we must make the best of it;
and I hope, in a few days, you will join your mamma on board ship.
That will be pleasant, won't it?"
"Where is papa?" the girl wailed.
"I don't know where he is now, my child. At any rate, we must feel
very glad that he's not shut up here, with us. Now take your bonnet
off, and your shawl, and undo the hooks of your dress, and loosen
everything you can. We must be as quiet and cheerful as possible. I'm
afraid, Ada, we have a bad time before us tonight. But try to keep
cheerful and quiet; and above all, dear, pray God to give you strength
to carry you through it, and to restore you safe to your mamma, in a
few days."
As time went on, the scene in the dungeon became terrible.
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