farther they proceeded down the stream in order to prevent the
possibility of any noise they might make in scrambling up being heard by
the sentinels on the outer postern. Then when they felt quite safe they
grasped the bushes, and speedily climbed the bank. Looking back at the
castle they saw lights still burning there. Short as was the time they
had been in the water they were both chilled to the bone, for it was the
month of February, and the water was bitterly cold.

"It cannot be more than nine o'clock now," Walter said, "for it is not
more than four hours since darkness fell. They are not likely to visit
the dungeon before eight or nine tomorrow, so we can rely upon twelve
hours' start, and if we make the best of our time we ought to be far on
travelling on a night like this through a strange country. I would that
the stars were shining. However, the direction of the wind and rain
will be a guide to us, and we shall soon strike the road we traveled
yesterday, and can follow that till morning."

They were not long before they found the track, and then started at a
brisk pace along it. All night they struggled on through wind and rain
until the first dawn enabled them to see the objects in the surrounding
country; and making for the forest which extended to within a mile
of the road, they entered deep into its shelter, and there utterly
exhausted, threw themselves down on the wet ground. After a few hours
of uneasy sleep they woke, and taking their place near the edge of the
forest watched for the passage of any party which might be in pursuit,
but until nightfall none came along.

"They have not discovered our flight," Ralph said at last, "or they
would have passed long before this. Sir Phillip doubtless imagines that
we are drowned. The water was within a few inches of the sill when we
started, and must soon have flooded the dungeon; and did he trouble to
look in the morning, which is unlikely enough seeing that he would be
sure of our fate, he would be unable to descend the stairs, and could
not reach to the door, and so discover that the bar had been removed.
No; whatever his motive may have been in compassing my death, he is
doubtless satisfied that he has attained it, and we need have no further
fear of pursuit from him. The rain has ceased, and I think that it will
be a fine night; we will walk on, and if we come across a barn will make
free to enter it, and stripping off our clothing to dry, will sleep in