or hewers of wood, who had been suddenly promoted to the glorious state of soldiers.

One desire in common, however, bound us together with a closeness beyond that of mere comrades. No need to 5 inquire as to its nature; there is only one desire that blooms in prisons. And the fact that our tunnel was nearly done supported and inspired us.

The time for our escape drew near, but the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect. There is 10 but one side on which this castle can be left with either

dignity or safety; and as the main gate, and guard, and the chief street of the upper city are on this side, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners. In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds the fortress, down 15 the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.

By our united labors in many a dark night, working with the utmost precaution against noise, we had made out to pierce the rampart near the southwest corner, in a 20 place called the Devil's Elbow. From this point the breakneck precipice descended sheer among waste lands and scattered suburbs of the city. I had never the heart to look below for any length of time-the thought that I must make the descent some dark night robbing me 25 of breath.

I don't know where the rope was found and doubt if I cared. It was not that which troubled me, but whether, now that we had it, it would serve our purpose. Its length, indeed, could be determined; but who was to tell us how that length compared with the way we had to go?

Day after day some of us would steal out to the Devil's Elbow and make estimates of the descent, either by a bare guess or the dropping of stones. But we dared not drop any large pebble lest the sentinels should hear, and those that we did drop we could not hear ourselves.

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I looked upon these proceedings with laughter, and also with impatience and disgust. I cannot bear to see things botched, and the thought that some poor fellow was to hazard his bones under such conditions shocked me. Had I guessed the name of that unhappy first adventurer, my 15 sentiments might have been livelier still.

The naming of this personage was indeed all that remained for us to do; and even in that we had advanced so far that the lot had fallen on Shed B. It had been determined to mingle the bitter and the sweet; and who- 20 ever went down first, all of his shed mates were to follow next in order. This caused a good deal of joy in Shed B, and would have caused more if it had not still remained to choose our pioneer. In view of our uncertainty as to the height of the precipice—and that 25

this gentleman was to climb down from fifty to seventy fathoms on a pitchy night, a little backwardness was, perhaps, excusable.

We discussed it in the dark and between the passing 5 of the guard, and it was impossible for any body of men to show a less adventurous spirit. Some were persuaded that it was safe, but they had good reasons why some one else should make the trial. Others, again, condemned the whole idea as insane; among these was a seaman of the 10 fleet. The height, he reminded us, was greater than the tallest ship's mast, the rope entirely free; and he as good as defied the boldest and strongest to succeed. At last our sergeant major of dragoons settled the difficulty.

"Comrades," said he, "I believe I rank you all; and 15 for that reason, if you really wish it, I will be the first

myself. At the same time you are to consider what the chances are that I may prove to be the last as well, for I am no longer young-I was sixty near a month ago."

"We cannot hear of such a thing!" said I. "M. Laclas 20 is the oldest man here; and, as such, he should be the very last to offer. It is plain we must draw lots."

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“No,” said M. Laclas; "you put something else into my head. There is one here who is a noble by birth. Beside him, the rest of us are only rabble. Let Champdivers25 let the noble go first."

THE ESCAPE FROM EDINBURGH CASTLE-II

I confess there was a notable pause before the noble in question got his voice. But any little hesitation I may have felt passed entirely unnoticed, from the lucky incident of a guard happening at that moment to go by.

As soon as he had passed I replied: "Certainly, gentle- 5 men! I will give you a lead with all the pleasure in the world." And had I to go down that instant, I believe I could have carried it well. But it was already too late the day was at hand. Nor was this the extent of my misfortune, for the next night and the night after were 10 adorned with a perfect galaxy of stars that showed every cat that stirred within a quarter of a mile.

It was a good deal of a relief when the third evening closed about the castle with volumes of sea fog: five steps from one of the lanterns on the ramparts it was groping 15 dark. We made haste to lie down. Had our jailers been upon the watch, they must have observed our conversation to die out unusually soon. Yet I doubt if any of us slept. Each lay in his place, tortured at once with the hope of liberty and the fear of a hateful death.

The guard call sounded; the hum of the town declined. On all sides of us, in their different quarters, we could hear the watchmen cry the hours along the street. At

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