down the stairs.

He silently opened the front door, and they passed out into the free
air.

A watch-dog that lay upon the mat outside got up and wagged his tail,
and laid down again, as if to express his willingness that any inmate
might leave the house who wished to do so, though no stranger should
enter it except over his dead body.

"Sensible dog!" said Munson, as with more precaution he closed and
locked the outer door, and took that key also with him.

"You must not attempt to escape with your wagon; but must ride your
horses, which will be much more efficacious both for swiftness and for
their ability to go through places where you could not take a wagon,"
said Munson, as they walked across the farm-yard.

But when they drew near the stable, they were set upon by a couple of
watch-dogs, who, barking furiously, barred their farther progress.

"There is no other way!" exclaimed Munson, and drawing a double
barrelled pistol from his pocket, he shot one dog dead, while the other
ran howling away.

Then with some difficulty they forced the door, and while Lyon remained
on the outside with Sybil, young Munson entered the stable and led out
their two horses.

"Here are several bridles, and here is one side-saddle, which will suit
Mrs. Berners, if you have no scruple about borrowing them," suggested
Munson.

"I should have no scruple about borrowing anything from anybody to aid
my wife's escape. Besides, there is my wagon more than double the value
of the things that we require; I will leave that in pledge," said Mr.
Berners.

"Just so," assented Munson.

And all this time he had been arranging the side-saddle and bridle upon
Sybil's horse. As soon as it was ready Mr. Berners came around to lift
his wife into her seat.

"One moment, dear Lyon," said Sybil, pausing to adjust her dress.

While she did so, Munson again spoke to Mr. Berners.

"You have your pocket compass?"

"Yes."

"Then I advise you to use it as soon as it is light, to direct your
course. And do not go toward the east, for old Purley will pursue you in
that direction, under the impression that you will try to reach another
seaport town, and get off in a ship. But make for the interior, for the
West, and get away as fast and as far as you can. Be careful to keep as
much as possible in the woods, even though your progress should be
slower through them than it would be in the open country. And now excuse
my presuming to give you so much