the hill. ['The Farm'
was here meant.] This marsh extends between two guard towers, and
is nine hundred yards long. It cannot be crossed at night, for the
warders withdraw and lock on the prison side the swinging bridges
of the numerous canals. These canals are seven feet deep and
fourteen wide, and the banks are soft peat. It would be dangerous
to try to swim them. You must procure a long plank or beam, and
carry it from trench to trench. You can get such a plank, which two
men can carry easily, at the new tool-shed which the convicts are
building against the outer wall of the prison to the right of the
lower gate.

"We cannot do anything to help you out of the prison till we hear
from you. You must escape by the lower side of the prison and cross
the marsh, for the town and warders' quarters extend on the other
three sides. In the old tool-shed against the outer lower wall,
where you leave your tools every evening, there is a small portable
steam-engine. Place your answer inside the furnace door, to the
right, and search there every morning for our messages. You need
not grope around. Put your hand to the right corner of the furnace,
and our parcel will be there. In case you can get out without our
help, here are complete instructions:

"When you have crossed the marsh, keep straight on across the hill,
at the foot of which, a mile from the prison, there is a narrow
lane. Keep to the right on this lane till you come to the high
road. Half a mile down this road to the left stands a cottage with
a ploughed field behind. Go boldly into this house day or night;
the door will be left open, though latched. Once inside the
cottage, unseen by the guards, you are safe. Trust implicitly on us
for anything else."

Geoffrey read the letter many times before he turned to his miserable
supper of dry bread and cocoa. He impressed every detail on his mind so
that the writing might be destroyed. Then he began to eat and think
together, and it was nearly morning before the thinking ceased. In his
mind he must settle every difficulty, foresee and circumvent every
danger before he made a move. Were it only his own peril he were
considering he would have had small anxiety. But now he felt on himself
the burden of the lives of his three friends, who would undoubtedly
attempt to carry out his arra