s and talking like that?"

"Have you been outside?"

"No," said Scarlett, in a low, hesitating voice. "I was ill and
feverish. I went to the end to get some water, and I think I must have
fallen down and slept. I have not slept much, and it has been so long
and dark, and I thought you had forsaken us."

"Forsaken you!" cried Fred, reproachfully. "But your father--and Nat?"

"I hardly know; they seem to have done nothing but sleep."

"Don't talk now. Rouse them at once. You must escape."

"Escape? Where?"

"I have provided the refuge for you. Horses are waiting in front of the
Hall. Now, let's try and get them out at once."

"In front of the Hall?" said Scarlett, whose weakness seemed to be
chased away by his old friend's words.

"Yes."

"Fred, we can get down from the oak chamber into the ruins. A piece of
the wall has fallen. Will not that be a better way?"

"Of course," cried Fred. "Then wake them at once."

This was done, and the news of the coming of help conveyed to Sir
Godfrey and his man, who rose with pain to their feet; but it soon
became evident that the former could not stir a step, though Nat
declared he could walk anywhere, and nearly fell on trying to cross the
vault.

"It is of no use," said Scarlett; "but I thank you, Fred Forrester, and
I can never call you enemy again."

"No," said Sir Godfrey, piteously. "I am too weak to stir; but God
bless you, my brave, true boy--never our enemy again."

"Look ye here," said a gruff voice, "I don't know nothing 'bout no other
way, so you've got to show me or lead me. I'll hold a strap in my
teeth, and some one can lead me by that. What you've got to do, Master
Fred, is to set Sir Godfrey well on my back, and I can carry him
anywhere. Never mind about that brother o' mine. Chuck him down in any
corner, if he won't walk. I aren't going to carry him."

Nat uttered a low grunt, and muttered something out of the darkness
about kicking, as, after a vain protest, Sir Godfrey was helped on to
Samson's back, the sturdy fellow stooping down, and then rising up with
a bit of a laugh.

"Dessay him I was named after was pretty strong; but he couldn't ha'
carried you, sir, any better than that."

"My brave-hearted fellow!" said Sir Godfrey, faintly; and he set his
teeth hard to keep back a moan of pain.

"Now, then," said Samson, "what sort of a way is it?"

"Just like that we came," said Fred, quickly as he drew Nat's arm over
his sho