inny."

Samson was correct. The two horses followed them like dogs, their hoof
tramp being almost inaudible, and they went on through the darkness at a
pace which seemed terrible to Fred in its sluggishness, nearly down to
the lake, and then round its western end, and in front of the ruined
Hall.

"We shall never get them there."

"Oh yes, we shall, if we can get them through the lines, and it's so
dark that I don't feel no fear of that. Now, sir, we'll tether them to
these two trees, and then get to work."

Fred followed his companion's example, glancing round from time to time,
and listening as every sigh of the wind seemed to be the breath of a
watcher; and then, tethering his steed, which calmly began to crop the
luxuriant grass, Fred started for the wilderness, his sword drawn to
feel his way beneath the trees, and at last contrived to reach the spot
where they had entered from time to time.

"Shall I go first, Master Fred?" whispered Samson.

"No, no."

"Better let me. I'm thicker-skinned, and it's going to be all feeling,
sir."

But Fred would not give up, and, entering the tangled underwood at once,
he went cautiously on, till about half-way, when a rush through the
bushes brought his heart to his mouth.

"Only rabbit, sir. Keep on," grumbled Samson.

"Think we are going right?"

"Yes, sir, far as I can tell; but it's blind man's work."

Instinct or guess-work, one or the other, led them right to the fallen
tree, when the hole was soon discovered, and Fred crept through and
dropped into the passage, closely followed by Samson.

"Don't find fault, sir," whispered the latter, as he touched the bottom,
"I should ha' done it, only I was took."

"What do you mean?"

"Brought a light."

"Never mind; I can find my way."

"Let me go first, sir."

"No; follow closely, and don't talk now."

"Only this one word, sir," whispered Samson, holding tightly by his
master's arm. "When we get 'em safe off, and my brother Nat starts
boasting, mind, sir, it was to help Sir Godfrey and Master Scar I came--
not him."

"Silence!"

"How like his father he do grow!" muttered Samson; and he obeyed.

Fred wondered to himself that he felt no shrinking at the strange task,
before creeping step by step into the utter darkness of this place; but
he was strung up now, and determined to carry his task through, come
what might.

Never before had the way seemed so long ere he struck his foot against
the first