nd as there was no time to be lost, he at once dropped
down on to the top of the wall. Jack came next, fortunately without
dislodging any stones, which might have rattled down and betrayed their
proceedings. Bill leading, they made their way on hands and knees along
the top of the wall, which, being fringed in most places with bushes,
contributed to conceal them from any passers-by. They had to move
cautiously for the reason before given, and also to avoid the risk of
falling down any gap in the wall which time might have produced.

As Bill had expected, the further end of the wall was broken gradually
away, forming an easy descent. Down this they climbed, feeling their
way with their feet, and not letting go of one mass of ruin till they
had found a foothold on a lower. Thus they at length had the
satisfaction of standing on the firm ground outside the walls.

They had now to consider in which direction they should direct their
flight.

The river was on one side of them, and though they might swim across
they would run the risk of being discovered while so doing. They
finally decided to make for the sea shore, to the westward of the bay,
and to lie hid among the rocks till the search for them should be given
up.

They accordingly stole round the building, keeping on the side away from
the guard-room, till they got into a lane which led at the back of the
village down towards the shore. If they could once get there they hoped
to be safe.

Few lights in the village were burning, as the inhabitants retired early
to bed; but two or three still twinkled from some cottages at the
farther end. Possibly the owners had gone out fishing, and had only
lately returned.

They had got some distance from the tower, and no cottage was near, when
Jack stopped.

"I've been thinking that we might get on board one of the fishing-boats,
which have just come in, and go off in her," he whispered.

"I could not do it," said Bill. "I have said before--what would the
poor fishermen think in the morning when they found their boat gone, the
only means they may have of supporting their wives and families?"

Jack did not agree with Bill in this, but it was not a time to argue the
point, so they set off again, and continued running till they reached a
gap in the cliff, down which the road led. They then made their way to
the left, under the cliffs, in the direction of the village where they
had so long resided.

The tide was o