enemies, but it must be owned that they are brave men and women. This
boy, for he is little more, almost laughed in our faces; and, in spite
of his stay in that damp cell, seemed to be in excellent spirits. It is
the same with them all, though I own that some of them do break down
sometimes; but I think that those who commit suicide do so principally
because they are afraid that, under pressure, they may divulge secrets
against each other. Ossip, who attends that young fellow, says that he
is always the same, and speaks as cheerfully to him every morning as if
he were in a palace instead of in a dungeon."

Two days later Godfrey was aroused in the night.

"Why, it is not light yet," he said. "What are you disturbing me at this
time for?"

"Get up," the man said; "you are going to start."

"Thank goodness for that!" Godfrey said, jumping up from his straw.
"That is the best news that I have heard for a long time."

In the court-yard seven prisoners were standing. They were placed at
some distance from each other, and by each stood a soldier and a
policeman. A similar guard took their places by the side of Godfrey as
he came out. An official took charge of the whole party, and, still
keeping a few paces apart, they sallied out through the prison doors and
marched through the sleeping city. Perhaps Godfrey was the only one of
the party who did not feel profoundly impressed. They were going to
leave behind them for ever family and friends and country, and many
would have welcomed death as an escape from the dreary prospect before
them. Godfrey's present feeling was that of exhilaration.

He had done his best to keep his mind at work, but the damp and
unwholesome air of the cell had told upon him, enfeebled as he had been
by the attack of fever. As he walked along now he drew in deep breaths
of the brisk night air, and looked with delight at the stars glistening
overhead. As to the future, just at that moment it troubled him but
little. He knew nothing of Siberia beyond having heard that the
prisoners there led a terrible life. That he should escape from it some
time or other seemed to him a matter of course. How, he could form no
idea until he got there; but as to the fact he had no misgiving, for it
seemed to him ridiculous that in a country so enormous as Siberia a
prisoner could not make his way out sooner or later.

When they reached the railway-station a train stood in readiness. Each
prisoner had a separate co