en expected, on one of the iron spikes. Ben then
easily hauled himself up, hand over hand, and, getting hold of two
spikes, raised himself so that he could see over the wall. Immediately
after he descended.

"I sees nothin', Bill, so we must just go over and take our chance."

Bill agreed. Ben folded his coat, and ascending again, spread it over
the spikes, so that he could lean on them with his chest without being
pierced. Having re-ascended, Bill followed; the rope was then hauled
up, and lowered on the other side. In another moment they slipped down,
and stood on the ground.

"Now, the question is, where are we!" whispered Bill. "P'r'aps we're
only in another yard after all."

The sound of footsteps pacing slowly towards them was heard at that
moment.

"I do believe," whispered Bill, in an excited tone, "that we've got into
the street, an' that's the sentry. Let's bolt."

"We can't bolt," said Ben, "'cause, if I took my bearin's right, he's
between us an' the shore, an' it would be of no manner o' use boltin'
into the country to be hunted down like a couple of foxes."

"Then we'll floor him to begin with," whispered Bill.

"That's so," said Ben.

The sentry approached, and the sailors drew up close against the wall.
Presently his dark form became faintly visible. Bill rushed at him at
once, and delivered a blow that might have felled an ox at the spot
where he supposed his chest was, sending the man back almost heels over
head, while his arms rattled on the pavement. Instantly there were
heard the sounds of opening locks, bolts, and bars. The two friends
fled, and shouts were heard behind them, while lights flashed in various
directions.

"This way, Bill," cried Ben, turning down a narrow lane to avoid a lamp
which came in sight when they turned a corner. A couple of belated and
drunken French fishermen happened to observe them, and gave chase.
"Hold on, Ben, let's drop, and trip 'em up," said Bill.

"All right," replied Ben; "down with 'e."

They stopped suddenly, and squatted as low as possible. The lane was
very narrow; the fishermen were close behind; they tumbled right over
them, and fell heavily on their faces. While they were rising, our
heroes knocked them both insensible, and hastily appropriating their
coats and red caps put them on as they ran. By this time a crowd of
fishermen, sailors, and others, among whom were a few soldiers and
turnkeys with lanterns, were pursuing the fu