llage or hamlet.

They were still, they knew, some distance from the harbour.

Here and there only could they see a light twinkling from a window,
probably of some sick-chamber. It was pretty evident that most of the
people had gone to bed, still some one or other might be up who would
give the alarm.

They found themselves verging to the right; it was better, however, than
keeping to the left side, which might lead them away from the harbour.
Presently they came to some grassy downs, and the regular road they had
been pursuing turned sharp off to the left.

"We had better keep straight on," said Bill; "we shall be more exposed
on the open downs; but then it isn't likely that anybody will be there
to see us, so that won't matter."

Jack, as usual, was ready to do whatever Bill proposed. They got
quickly over the grass, which was cropped short by sheep feeding on it,
and they could manage to see somewhat better than they had done on the
road. Presently Jack, whose eyesight was even keener than Bill's,
having been well practised at night from his childhood, caught his
companion's arm, exclaiming, "Hold back; it seems to me that we have got
to the edge of the downs."

They crept cautiously forward. In another instant they would have leapt
down a cliff some hundred feet in height, and been dashed to pieces.

They turned away from it, shuddering at the fearful risk they had run,
and kept along on somewhat lower ground, still having the star which had
before guided them ahead.

Once more they found themselves approaching buildings, but they were low
and scattered; evidently only in the outskirts of the village.

"We must be close to the harbour now," said Jack.

"The greater reason that we should be cautious," observed Bill. "This
road, I suspect, leads right down to the part of the harbour we want to
reach."

They ran on, their hope of escape increasing.

Suddenly they heard the voice of a man shouting out, "Who goes there?"

Bill seized Jack's arm, and pulled him down in the shadow of a high
wall, near which they happened at that moment to find themselves.

Some minutes they waited, scarcely daring to draw breath.

The shout was not repeated.

"We may go on now," whispered Jack; and getting up, they crept forward.
Presently, below them, they caught sight of the harbour, with the stars
reflected on its surface.

The most difficult part of their undertaking was now to be performed.
They had to find o