we seemed
scarcely to have entered it before our guide informed us that we might
resume an upright position. He then struck a match, and its light
enabled us to see that we were standing in a large cave, the walls of
which streamed with moisture. Taking a torch, made of some resinous
wood, from a small box covered with a sack, he fired it and turned to us
again.

"It is for your Majesty to say what you will do now," he observed,
addressing my father. "Do you prefer to wait until the soldiers have
gone, and then return to the inn, or will you permit me to guide you
across the mountains to the Border by a track which is difficult but
safe, and which will shorten the distance by nearly one half? I await
your Majesty's orders!"

The King turned to my mother as if for her opinion. Her mind was soon
made up.

"Let us endeavour to reach the Border by all means," she answered.
"There is nothing to be gained by returning to the inn, and there is
always the risk of the soldiers finding us there. The sooner we are
under the protection of King George, the better for us all."

"So be it," my father replied, with his usual equanimity. Then, turning
to the innkeeper, he added, with what must have been a touch of his old
sarcasm, "If it will not be troubling you too much to conduct us to the
Border, we will do our best to follow you."

The man bowed, and having advised us to step carefully, led the way to
the back of the cave. Hitherto it had looked as if we were standing in a
chamber to which the tunnel was the only entrance. This was not the
case, however. In the further corner, hidden by a projecting rock, was a
narrow passage, perhaps seven feet high by three in width. Whether it
had been cut by the hand of man, or whether it was the work of Nature, I
cannot say. In either case it enabled us to escape from what promised to
be a most embarrassing situation, for had the troops caught us, I
tremble to think what our fate must have been. Enraged as the populace
were by our departure from the Capital, and flushed with their recent
triumphs, it is difficult to say to what extremes they might have
resorted.

Leaving the cave, we climbed the narrow passage in single file, the
landlord leading the way, Gabriel bringing up the rear. Sometimes in my
dreams I climb that passage now, see the streaming walls, feel the rough
stones under my feet, and hear my mother's voice bidding me step
carefully. From what I can remember of it now, the