rdens.

"Think we dare risk it?" enquired Drake, voicing the idea uppermost in
both their minds, and pointing toward the groups of unconscious pirates.

"Yes," replied Frobisher. "They seem to be pretty fully occupied with
their own concerns just now, and are evidently under the impression that
we are still hiding somewhere in the building, so I think we could not
hope for a better opportunity. They must, without fail, eventually
discover that we are nowhere in the building, so we had better get away
before they take it into their heads to start searching in this
direction. I expect both groups have joined forces by this time, to
participate in that meal they are preparing, so we should be able to get
clear of the town without being seen."

This point settled, the pair made their way cautiously out of the
gardens, and soon gained the streets, which they traversed slowly, to
save themselves as much as possible in case the pursuit should again be
taken up. And in about half an hour, during which they had perceived no
cause for alarm, they realised, by the gradual thinning of the houses,
that they were approaching the outskirts of the city on its eastern
side.

They were proceeding carefully, conversing, and noting the interesting
relics of a bygone civilisation, when, without a word, Drake suddenly
seized his companion's arm and hastily dragged him behind a convenient
wall. Frobisher, too much astonished for words, could only look round,
wonderingly, imagining that the pirates were after them again; and as he
did so, he perceived the cause of the skipper's alarm.

The danger was not behind, but in front. The pirates had proved to be
wider awake than either of the Englishmen had anticipated, and had
posted a sentry at the eastern gate. Fortunately for them, the man
happened to be looking in another direction at the moment when they
turned the corner, or discovery would have been inevitable. As it was,
the question arose--how was this fresh obstacle to be overcome? They
might possibly avoid the man by making a long detour to some other gate,
but this plan appealed to neither of them, for even should they succeed
in escaping by some other outlet, the ground outside the walls was so
bare that the man must inevitably see them. The alarm would be raised,
when of course the pursuit would at once be resumed, and their capture
become certain.

A few words between the two Englishmen sufficed to show that the same
p