water, whilst dressed in thine armour?" I
asked of Michael.

"Divil a toime, yer honour."

"It will be difficult, Michael, and I may be compelled to ask thee to
lend me a hand."

"All roight, yer honour." And we set out.

I had not overestimated the difficulty of our task, and ere we reached
the outer wall I was glad to place my hand upon Michael's great
shoulder to keep from sinking.

At length we reached the other side and, still struggling to keep our
heads above the surface, we commenced to feel along the wall for the
ladder mentioned in the letter.

"What if it should not be here?" I asked myself. Truly it should be a
grand device for luring me unto my death; for it had been impossible
for me to again cross the moat, so exhausted was I by the great
exertion. Even the mighty giant by my side was breathing in great
gasps, as though his Herculean strength were ebbing fast. Mine arms
had now become so weak that I could scarce lift them above the surface
for an instant that I might feel for the ladder.

"Here--sor," gasped my faithful squire, as he grasped me by the arm and
drew me to him. "Oi--have it--at last--yer honour. The saints--be
praised."

Yes, there it was, and how welcome did it feel to my trembling hand.

We remained thus, with our heads only above the water, for some
moments, until we regained a part of our breaths.

I mounted the ladder first and climbed wearily to the top. Verily,
never in all my life have I felt my body to be of such prodigious
weight. Ah! I was on the top; and there I sat whilst Michael's
enormous form came dripping out of the water below and wearily climbed
the ladder.

[Illustration: "I climbed wearily to the top."]

"Mither-o'-Gawd! Oi fale loike a damned drowned rat." And indeed I
felt as though the simile applied unto me most thoroughly.

Then we drew up the ropes and, unfastening the hooks, we reversed them
and let down the ladder on the other side. Down this we went, and,
thank Heaven, we were free from that great, black, menacing
congregation of cold, cruel towers and walls.

I felt like a soul but new granted its release from the torturous fires
of purgatory must feel as he looks back, with hunted, awe-struck eyes,
at the place of his late confinement, and sighs with thankfulness for
his freedom; yet shudders in fear that this liberty is but a dream from
which he shall soon awaken to find himself again within the gates of
agony.

Then we hastene