that was within their reach--for the most part wood, straw, and
beef-bones. It is surprising what delicate things they produced out of
the last, which the kitchen supplied them with in abundance.

Some of them (no doubt sailors,) made models of ships, exact in the
minutest details. Others, of the same material, made work-boxes, watch-
stands, statuettes (one of the crucifixion and madonna), boxes of
dominoes, a carved spinning-jenny, the figures representing the costumes
of the period, guillotines, models of the block-house (partly wood), and
many more articles of all descriptions.

Besides these really wonderful survivals of the soup-caldron (which by
the way was five feet across, and more than three feet deep), the straw
work of the prisoners was equally beautiful. There was a model of the
noble west front of Peterborough Cathedral in straw marqueterie (and
another in _grass_); also a picture representing a church, with mill and
bridge, and a barge on the river; with all kinds of boxes, fire-screens,
dressing-cases, tea-caddies, etc. These are given simply as specimens of
the really skilled work they did, and which must have cost them much
patience, and an infinite amount of care and trouble.

It is said that some of the prisoners made a good deal of money by the
sale of these articles to visitors at the prison, and that when their
liberation came at last, they had amassed fabulous little fortunes. At
all events, their industry was rewarded. They obtained the means of
adding to their comforts; and much better than this, whether they gained
much or little in money, busy employment saved them from that greatest of
all evils, the curse of even enforced idleness.

And so the handiwork of the prisoners of Norman Cross, who wisely chose
to work, instead of idly repining in their trouble, is a useful lesson to
all--to make the best of our circumstances, however trying and forlorn,
by doing with our might the work we _can_ do, even if it be not the work
we _like_ the best.

CHAPTER VIII.--AN ENEMY TURNS UP.

Captain Draper had only been eighteen months at Norman Cross when, to the
great regret of all--prisoners, officials, and soldiers, he was seized
with sudden illness and died. He was admirably fitted for the position
he held there, but, like many a man engaged in much higher and more
important work than his, and for which far greater qualifications are
required, he was cut off in the midst of his useful