t I can get out," said Peter to himself. "He is seldom
wrong--I will try." Suiting the action to the word, he put his head out
between the bars. "Where my head can go my body can follow, but my body
must go first just now."

After twisting his body a variety of ways, he worked his way between the
bars, to which he held on while he lowered himself to the ground. The
leading-string was still attached to Trusty's collar, and taking it in
his hand, he said, "Go on, Trusty." Trusty, pulling hard, led the way,
as if he was conscious that there was danger in delay, and Peter set off
as fast as he could venture to move.

No sound came from the cottage, and he had every reason to hope that he
should completely effect his escape. Trusty, that good sagacious dog,
worthy of his name, pulled on as if he well knew that it was important
to leave old Dame Herring's cottage far behind before daybreak. Peter
decided on going first to the tower, that he might consult with the
captain, to whom he knew he could speak as to a friend. Should he go to
Mr Ludlow, he was afraid that the magistrate would perhaps immediately
send off to Dame Herring's Cottage, and attempt to apprehend the whole
body of smugglers. "If he does, what will be the advantage? None at
all. I know what I heard, but I cannot swear to the voices of any one
of them and they will all escape, and revenge themselves on me; not that
I care for that if I can do others a service, but it's hard to suffer
and do no good to any one."

The captain was an early riser. He had scarcely been a minute on foot
when he heard blind Peter knocking at the door. Peter was admitted, and
his story soon told. "I will consider what is to be done, and will give
due warning to Mr Ludlow," answered the captain. "But one thing is
certain, Peter, that you must lie by for a while, and take up your abode
in the tower. The ruffians would treat you with little ceremony if they
were to catch you as you were wandering about the country, but they
would scarcely venture to molest you while you are here--indeed, there
is no reason that they should know that you are here."

There was a small vacant room on the ground-floor of the Tower--into
this the captain conducted Peter, and told him that he must consider
himself a prisoner there till the smugglers were captured or driven out
of the country, and it was safe for him again to go out by himself. He
promised him, however, that he should not be