e him relax his hold of Rawson's throat. Still more
difficult was it to induce the latter to take his gripe off his
opponent's neck. To bind the legs and arms of the Frenchman, and to gag
his mouth, was the work of a few moments. Ronald stumbled against his
lantern, at which Rawson must have struck when he entered.

"It may prove of service," thought Ronald, as he hung it round his neck.

Rawson soon recovered. Two more seamen had come in by this time. Their
first care was to barricade the door. At first they thought of leaving
the Frenchman in the room, but it was agreed that, as he might make some
noise, and give the alarm, it would be better to take him part of the
way with them. He was speedily lowered down, much to the astonishment
of those below, and to his own annoyance. Then Morton and the rest of
the party followed. Who their prisoner was it was impossible to
ascertain, for fear lest the moment the gag was removed he might cry
out. He was a soldier, but not their friend the corporal, as he was a
shorter and stouter man.

There could be little doubt that the guard was in the room below them,
and when their comrade was missed, others probably would go up to look
for him. No further time was to be lost. Mr Calder, therefore,
ordered the men in a whisper to close up together, carrying their
prisoner among them, and to move off in the direction of the harbour.
As they began to advance, Morton recollected the rope which they ought
to have taken with them, as should it be left behind and recognised, it
might betray the friends who had supplied it to them. As the rope was
long enough to allow of its being slipped round a beam, and then again
to reach the ground, he was on the point of ascending once more to
execute his project, hoping quickly to overtake his companions, when a
noise in the room immediately above him arrested his movements. The
guard was on the alert. His delay, contrary to the orders of his
superior, might cause the ruin of the whole party. He let go the rope
and sprang after his companions.

"It cannot much matter," he thought; "our friends would have warned us
to carry off the rope."

The English seamen hurried on till they came to a deep hollow in the
sands. Here Mr Calder ordered them to leave their prisoner.

"Remember, mounseer, if you hallo or make any row, we'll be back and
blow your brains out for you," whispered Job Truefitt, as he placed him
on the ground.

A grunt w