a low tower, which was in a
half-ruinous condition. It stood upon the brink of a deep chasm, the
sides of which were densely wooded, while at the bottom there was a
brawling brook. Upon the other side of the chasm appeared the outline
of a stately castle, with walls and towers and battlements and keep,
all plainly discernible as they rose up in giant proportions.

CHAPTER IX.

IN WHICH THE PRIEST SEES A VISION, AND GOES IN SEARCH OF A BREAKFAST.

The priest placed the lady on the ground near the trunk of a fallen
tree, against which she might lean, and then, turning away, he drew a
clasp-knife from his pocket, and began cutting armfuls of brushwood
and twigs of shrubs. These he canned into the tower and spread over
the floor with the skill of a practised hand, while the lady sat
where he had left her, with her head bowed down, taking no notice of
anything, and seeming like one who was quite prostrated in mind as
well as in body. When at last the priest's task was ended, he went to
her and carried her inside the tower.

"Here," said he, "is some brushwood. I'm sorry that there isn't
anything better, but better is a stone couch with liberty than a bed
of down with captivity. Don't be worried or frightened. If there is
any danger, I'll sound the alarm in Zion and get you off in time."

The lady murmured some inarticulate words, and the priest then left
her and went outside. He there spent some little time in gathering
some brush for himself, which he spread upon the grass, under the
castle wall; after which, he seated himself upon it, and pulling out
his pipe, he filled it and began to smoke.

Hitherto he had been too much preoccupied to pay any very close
attention to the world around; but now, as he sat there, he became
aware of sounds which arose apparently from the interior of the great
castle on the other side of the chasm. The sounds did not startle him
in the least, however, and he was evidently prepared for something of
this sort. Between this tower and the great castle there intervened
the deep chasm; and though no doubt the two structures had once been
connected, yet all connection had long since been destroyed, and now
there was no visible way of passing from the one to the other. The
priest, therefore, felt as secure as though he were miles away, and
listened serenely to the noises.

There came to his ears sounds of singing, and laughter, and revelry,
with shouts and cries that rang out upon