ger here," he insisted, touching De
Artigny's sleeve. "The guard may discover your absence, Rene, before
we get beyond the stockade. Come, we must move quickly."

"Ay, and with more than ever to give us courage, Francois. Yet how can
we get Madame safely over the logs?"

"She must venture the same as we. Follow me closely, and tread with
care."

So dark was the night I was obliged to trust entirely to De Artigny's
guidance, but it was evident that both men were familiar with the way,
and had thoroughly considered the best method of escape. No doubt De
Tonty and his young lieutenant had arranged all details, so as to
assure success. We traversed the flat roofs of the chain of log houses
along the west side of the stockade until we came to the end. The only
light visible was a dull glow of embers before the guardhouse near the
center of the parade, which revealed a group of soldiers on duty. The
stockade extended some distance beyond where we halted, crouched low
on the flat roof to escape being seen. There would be armed men along
that wall, especially near the gates, guarding against attack, but the
darkness gave us no glimpse. There was no firing, no movement to be
perceived. The two men crept to the edge, and looked cautiously over,
and I clung close to De Artigny, nervous from the silence, and afraid
to become separated. Below us was the dense blackness of the gorge.

"This is the spot," whispered De Artigny, "and no alarm yet. How far
to the rocks?"

"De Tonty figured the distance at forty feet below the stockade; we
have fifty feet of rope here. The rock shelf is narrow, and the great
risk will be not to step off in the darkness. There should be an iron
ring here somewhere--ay, here it is; help me draw the knot taut,
Rene."

"Do we--do we go down here, Monsieur?" I questioned, my voice
faltering.

"Here, or not at all; there are guards posted yonder every two yards.
This is our only chance to escape unseen." Boisrondet tested the rope,
letting it slip slowly through his hands down into the darkness below,
until it hung at full length. "It does not touch," he said, "yet it
cannot lack more than a foot or two. Faith! We must take the risk. I
go first Rene--hush! 'tis best so--the lady would prefer that you
remain, while I test the passage. The devil himself may be waiting
there." He gazed down, balancing himself on the edge, the cord gripped
in his hands.

"Now mind my word; once on the rock below I will s