Saint Mary's beacon., 1874-01-29

FE = Aat*H 8@ sr&i er n
70 can but reach .thsts ,uadiseoveted,
make listle doubs va can ges array, !
.'Hease With yop." replied Elliott
'"Tis but bold push, aud X We fail OUT
cause can BE but little wese. .sat,i .s1cs
Crcepis9 carefully along the roof, they
set forward. and in .. fev uninrtes reashed
the wall on the southern side Of the city.
not far from the river front. TIE street
was closed BY ! gate. whcreat double sen.
tries were stationed. The aaaventurers
heard their step. the rattle Of their MATCH
locks, esen their voices ~ they spoke to
each other in subdued tones. When these
iixsrc hssked. they hessd We Severn now
ing through the night There was 4
sense Of freedom in the sound that made
them more resolute than ever to obtain
their own liberty.
The only possible way Of escape was
over the wall, and that was extremely high.
To drop from it involved great risk of life
and limb. Even If that peril were es-
capped. the noise would certainly attract
the attention Of the vigilant guard, and
swift pursuit. il not death from their
ma:ch-locks. was inevitable.
For a moment they were brought to a
pause; but Dudley's fertile mind couceiv-
ed an expedien.. He went to q window
in the roof. and the slope more distant
from the guards. There was no ligh. in
the room nor any sign Of occupation. He
shook the easement gently; there was no
token any one heard. The window seemed
to be securely fastened, but Dudley had
his steel buckle. and with j, he cut away
the lead that held one of the diamond
shaped psnes in its>placc. He then re-
moved the glass. thrust his hand through
the opening and drew the bolt. He stepped
softly into the chamber. The moon was
strug ggling with the clouds. and sometimes
overcoming them. SO that it was not alb
solutely dark. With cautious movements
the royalist advanced until his hand rest
ed upon bed. If were occupied and
the sleeper. being awaken. should give
the alarm! But it was empty.
Dudley stripped off its sheets and blau-
kets and carried them to the window
Elliott answered his whispered call and took
them from his arms. Ensconcing them
selves behind chimney. the two soldiers
applied themselves to tearing the articles
into strips and knotting them firmly to.
gcthcr. Soon they had long and strong
rope.
IF they be Roundheads We have rob-
bed tis lawi iul spoil Of war;" whispered
Elliott; "and if they be on the Kings
side, they viii! count it no loss if i: have
helped his poor servants in their need"
One end Of the roro was fastened sc-
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 to Lon
don. There or otherwherc We shall sure
y meet ifw beth get safe away"
The soldier. went to the edge of tue
wall. running his hand along the rope
de tested its strength BY two or three
pulls and then committed himself to i.
for tie decent Hand overland he wen,
down, bracing his feet against the wall.
The card 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
"Alrs well!" The call wax repeated
from gate to gate around the circuit Of
the walls. Dudley swung off frem the
parapct. A minute aud he was free stand
ing in the open country with his face to-
wards london.
Notwithstanding his counsel to the
contrary Elliott. had waited for him
They set out together, but Dudley did
not fancy Journey Of hundred miles
on foot.
He proposed visit to the stables Of
some Of the uear-lying farms. Passing
through the fields with tha. intent, they
found one horse grazing. already saddlcd
and hridled; no unusual thing in those
troubled times. when no man knew Mt
what momcn, he might need to ride for
his own life, or for the good of the cause
he espoused. This animal Elliott took. .
Dudley going on to the stable, where
be soon provided himself with Il spirited
| stced.
He rode down TO the Severn, where
bend in the river brought them in full
view of the sleeping city. He turned
in his saddle to look. The moon came
out from a dark bank Of cloud. The
image of walls and roofs. and spires was
family reflected in the swift current
The light 10 the illuminated steeple shone
ahroagh two round windows that had a
gro,esque resemblance to glowing eyes
But they did not discern the escaping
rcyalists No cutcry rose on the silence;
mo sound that indicated discovery ar threat
ened pursnit. With sigh for the friend 8
left in captivity. Dudley shook bis bri-
de. struck bis horse with the whip. and
gallcpped swiftly towards London and lib
ery.