nd darksome is the way underground, but it opens at last
through one of the old burial-places of the Jews into the thickets
upon the bank of the Jordan."

"The Jordan! Little short of a league!" exclaimed Walter.

"A league, underground, and in the dark," sighed Mabel.

"Better than starving here like a rat in a trap," returned her
brother.

"Ah yes; oh yes! I will think of the cool river and the trees at
the end."

"You will find chill enough, lady, long ere you reach the river,"
said Sigbert. "You must wrap yourself well. 'Tis an ugsome
passage; but your heart must not fail you, for it is the only hope
left us."

The two young people were far too glad to hear of any prospect of
release, to think much of the dangers or discomforts of the mode.
Walter danced for joy up and down the room like a young colt, as he
thought of being in a few hours more in the free open air, with the
sound of water rippling below, and the shade of trees above him.
Mabel threw herself on her knees before her rude crucifix, partly in
thankfulness, partly in dread of the passage that was to come first.

"Like going through the grave to life," she murmured to her nurse.

And when the scanty garrison was gathered together, as many as
possible provided with brands that might serve as torches, and
Sigbert led them, lower and lower, down rugged steps hewn in the
rock, through vaults where only a gleam came from above, and then
through deeper cavernous places, intensely dark, there was a shudder
perceptible by the clank and rattle of the armour which each had
donned. In the midst, Walter paused and exclaimed--

"Our banner! How leave it to the Paynim dogs?"

"It's here, sir," said Sigbert, showing a bundle on his back.

"Warning to the foe to break in and seek us," grumbled Gilbert.

"Not so," replied Sigbert. "I borrowed an old wrapper of nurse's
that will cheat their eyes till we shall be far beyond their ken."

In the last dungeon a black opening lay before them, just seen by
the light of the lamp Sigbert carried, but so low that there was no
entrance save on hands and knees.

"That den!" exclaimed Walter. "'Tis a rat-hole. Never can we go
that way."

"I have tried it, sir," quoth Sigbert. "Where I can go, you can go.
Your sister quails not."

"It is fearful," said Mabel, unable to repress a shiver; "but,
Walter, think what is before us if we stay here! The Saints will
guard us."

"The worst and lowest part only la