found, on reaching the other side, that
the wall was there nearly five feet above the water. He undid the rope
and threw up the hook. At the second attempt it caught, and he climbed
the side, and then in a low voice told Paolo to start. Presently he
heard a slight splash, followed by a gasp. He hauled away rapidly on the
rope, and in a couple of minutes Paolo stood beside him, shivering and
gasping.

"Put your doublet on. Now let us go forward as fast as we can." They
climbed the steep slope to the top of the glacis, and then ran down
until they were brought to a standstill by another moat.

"This is the one marked in the plan as dividing the fortifications of
the town from those of the citadel. Now we have another swim before
us. It is wider than the last, but is really no distance. Give me your
doublet again."

"I don't mind this so much," Paolo said. "I cannot be colder than I am."

"Don't try to swim, Paolo; lie on your back, with your mouth just out of
water. I will have you over in no time."

It was fully fifty yards across; but, accustomed to bathe in almost icy
cold water, the swim was nothing to Hector, who was soon across, and
who then towed Paolo over as before. They mounted another glacis, and
presently reached the edge of a third moat.

"We need go no farther. I know that this moat is but some fifteen yards
from the foot of the fortifications. Now, get the arrows out. Cut off
a foot or two of the thin cord, and unravel it. I must warm my fingers
again first, I cannot use them at all."

"Mine are pretty cold, too." And both lads warmed them as before. Paolo
then set to work to string the bow, which required all his strength to
accomplish. While he was doing so, Hector drew from his pouch the six
little pellets, and taking the arrows, straightened out each pellet,
wrapped it round an arrow, and secured it firmly with a small strand
from the string. When he had done this, he took the bow from Paolo,
fitted an arrow to the string, drew it with his full strength, and then,
pointing the arrow high, loosed it. The six arrows were sent off. Just
as the last was discharged there was a shout of "Who is there? Speak,
or I fire!" It was a sentry on the wall, who had caught the sound of the
twang of the bow.

"I am a friend, a messenger from the French general," Hector replied.
"I have just shot six arrows into the fortress; a message is attached to
each for the governor. Report to the officer, and have a sear