's hand, cut off his moustached head, and then, in the language of
desperate heroes of romance, "sell his life dearly." He refrained,
however, and was soon after marched along with his mates to the
stronghold of the port, at the door of which the French commander handed
them over to the jailor, wishing Teddy all health and happiness, with a
broad grin, as he bid him farewell.

Our unfortunates crossed a stone court with walls that appeared to rise
into the clouds; then they traversed a dark stone passage, at the end of
which stood an open door with a small stone cell beyond. Into this they
were desired to walk, and as several bayonet points glittered in the
passage behind them, they felt constrained to obey. Then locks were
turned, and bars were drawn, and bolts were shot. The heavy heels of
the jailer and guard were heard retiring. More locks and bars and bolts
were turned and drawn and shot at the farther end of the stone passage,
after which all remained still as the grave.

"Och hone!" groaned Teddy, looking round at his companions, as he sat on
a stone seat, the picture of despair: "To be kilt is a trifle; to fight
is a pleasure; to be hanged is only a little trying to the narves. But
to be shut up in a stone box in a furrin land--"

Words failed him here, but another groan told eloquently of the
bitterness of the spirit within.

"We must just try to be as cheery as we can, mates," said John Potter.
"The Lord can deliver us out o' worse trouble than this if He sees fit."

"Oh, it's all very well for you to talk like that," growled Isaac
Dorkin, "but I don't believe the Almighty is goin' to pull down stone
walls and iron gates to set us free, an' you know that we haven't a
friend in all France to help us."

"I _don't_ know that, Isaac. It certainly seems very unlikely that any
one should start up to befriend us here, but with God all things are
possible. At the worst, I know that if we are to remain here, it's His
will that we should."

"Humph! I wish ye much comfort o' the thought: it doesn't give much to
me," remarked Stobbs.

Here, Mr Franks, who had hitherto sat in sad silence, brightened up,
and said, "Well, well, lads, don't let us make things worse by
disputing. Surely each man is entitled to draw comfort from any source
he chooses. For my part, I agree with John Potter, in this at all
events,--that we should try to be as cheery as we can, and make the best
of it."

"Hear, hear!" exclaim