"It performed all the essential functions of a perfectly legal currency.

Just suppose we had discovered it was counterfeit before I took it to the tavern--that would have been a hardship!" "It were Captain Murrell gave it to me," explained Hannibal.
"I consecrate myself to his destruction! Judge Slocum Price can not be humiliated with impunity!" "I should think you would save your wind, Price, until you'd waddled out of danger!" Mahaffy spoke, gruffly.
"How are you going to get me out of this, Solomon--for I suppose you are here to break jail for me," said the judge.
Mahaffy inspected the building.

He found that the door was secured by two ponderous hasps to which were fitted heavy padlocks, but the solid wooden shutter which closed the square hole in the gable that served as a window was fastened by a hasp and peg.

He withdrew the peg, opened the shutter, and the judge's face, wreathed in smiles, appeared at the aperture.
"The blessed sky and air!" he murmured, breathing deep.

"A week of this would have broken my spirit!" "If you can, Price, you'd better come feet first," suggested Mahaffy.
"Not sufficiently acrobatic, Solomon--it's heads or I lose!" said the judge.
He thrust his shoulders into the opening and wriggled outward.