The Van Buren press., 1874-01-20
NO. 38

The window seemed to be securely fast
ened, but Dudley had his steel buckle,
and with it be cut away the lead that held
one of the diamond. shaped panes In its
place He then removed the glass. thrust
his arm through the opening and drew
the bolt. He stepped softly into tho
chamber. The moon was struggling
with the clouds, and sometimes over
coming them. 20 that it was net so abso-
lutely dark. With cautious movements
the royalist advanced until his hand
rested upon bed. fit were occupied.
and the sleeper, being awakened, should
give the alarm. But it was empty.
Dudley stripped of its sheets aud
blankets and carried them TO the window.
Elliott answered his whispered call and
took them from his arms. Enseoncing
themselves behind chimney. the two
soldiers applied themselves to tearing the
articles into strips and knotting them
firmly together. Soon they had long
and strong rope.
III they be Roundheads we have rob-
bed, It's lawful spoil Of war, whispered
Elliott, "and if they be on the Kings
side, they will count it no loss II it has
helped his poor servants in their need. "
One end Of the rope was fastened se-
curely around the chimney, the other was
thrown over the wall. Go you down
first, Elliott" urged Dudley. Make
no stay for me, but hasten directly 10
London. There or otherwhere We shall
surely meet, ii we both get safe away.
The soldier went to the edge OF the
wall, running his hand along the rope.
He tested its strength by two or three
pulls. and then committed himself 10 IL
for the descent. Hand over hand he went
down. bracing his feet against the wall.
The cord swung loose, and Dudley, watch.
ing above, knew that his friend was safe
on solid ground A great clock in the
city struck "two!'' A sentinel cried
"All's we'll" The call was repeated
from gate to gate around the circuit OF
the walls. Dudley swung off from the
parapct. A minute and he was free,
standing in the open country with HE
face towards London.
Notwithstanding his counsel to the
contrary, Elliott had waited for him.
They set out together. But Dudley did
not fancy a journey Of hundred miles
on foot.
He proposed . visit to the stables OF
some of the near lying farms. Passing
through the fields with that intent, they
found one horse grazing, already saddled
and brdled no unusual thing in those
troubled times, when no man knew At
what moment he might need t. ride for
his own life, or for the good Of the cause
he espoused. The animal Elliott toek.
Dudley going on to the stable, where be
soon provided himself with spirited
steed
He rode down 10 the Severn. where a
bend in the river brought him in full view
, Of the sleeping city. He turned in bis
saddle to look. The moon came Gus
from behind dark bank Of cloud. The
image OF walls. ana roofs, aud spires was
family reflected to the river. The light
in the illuminated steeple shone through
two round windows that had grotesque
resemblance Of glowing eyes. But they
did not discern the escaping royalist No
outcries rose Oh the silence; no sound
that indicated discovery or threatened
pursuit With sigh for the friend left
in captivity. Dudley shook his bride.
struck his horse with the whip, aud gal
lopcd swiftly towards London aud libcr-
y.-Hdrknsss's Magazine