me
down. Then for a moment or two Nic saw a bright star, which was blotted
out by something dark as the faint rustling continued.

Nic turned to listen, but all was well within the shed. He could hear
the deep breathing of sleepers, and the low humming song of the sentry
outside the door.

"How long will it be?" thought Nic, who was trembling with excitement;
but the suspense was soon over. All at once there was a dull sound,
such as might be made by two bare feet alighting on the earth outside,
and he knew that his turn had come.

He was lightly enough clothed, merely in short-sleeved, striped cotton
shirt, and breeches which did not reach the knee, and his feet were
bare, so that there was nothing to hinder his efforts as he reached up
till he could place one foot upon the first peg. Then, seeking for the
other, he seized it in his hand, and drew himself into a standing
position upon the first, reached up to the rafters, drew himself farther
up till he could rest his foot on the second peg and pass his head and
shoulders through the hole in the roof; then, resting a hand on either
side, he drew his legs through, turned and lowered himself down, and
dropped upon the ground almost without a sound.

It was intensely dark, but every step was familiar enough, and there was
no need for words: their plans had been too well made. But as they
moved off towards the house, one thought was in both minds as presenting
the greatest obstacle they had to dread:

Where were the dogs? If loose, and their approach were heard, the great
brutes would set up a fierce baying directly, preliminary to a savage
attack; and then--

They neither of them cared to reckon more in advance than that, and went
softly on, to receive proof directly that the dogs were not loose, for
there came from the back of the house the rattle of a chain being drawn
over wood, followed by a low, muttering growl, as if one of the animals
was uneasy.

This ceased directly; and, treading cautiously, Nic went straight up to
the front of the building, feeling as if, at any moment, he might see
the flash of a musket and hear its roar.

But the place was dark and still, and the croaking and other sounds
which came in chorus were quite loud enough to drown their light
footsteps as they approached.

The door was closed, but the two long, low windows in the veranda proved
to be open; and, as Nic approached the one upon his right and listened,
he could distinc