Then another very important matter was the choice of the sentry who should be on duty in front of my window at the time of our attempt.  They were changed every two hours to insure their vigilance, but I, who watched them closely each night out of my window, knew that there was a great difference between them.  There were some who were so keen that a rat could not cross the yard unseen, while others thought only of their own ease, and could sleep as soundly leaning upon a musket as if they were at home upon a feather bed.  There was one especially, a fat, heavy man, who would retire into the shadow of the wall and doze so comfortably during his two hours, that I have dropped pieces of plaster from my window at his very feet, without his observing it.  By good luck, this fellow’s watch was due from twelve to two upon the night which we had fixed upon for our enterprise.

As the last day passed, I was so filled with nervous agitation that I could not control myself, but ran ceaselessly about my cell, like a mouse in a cage.  Every moment I thought that the warder would detect the looseness of the bar, or that the sentry would observe the unmortared stone, which I could not conceal outside, as I did within.  As for my companion, he sat brooding upon the end of his bed, looking at me in a sidelong fashion from time to time, and biting his nails like one who is deep in thought.

‘Courage, my friend!’ I cried, slapping him upon the shoulder.  ’You will see your guns before another month be past.’

‘That is very well,’ said he.  ’But whither will you fly when you get free?’

‘To the coast,’ I answered.  ’All comes right for a brave man, and I shall make straight for my regiment.’

’You are more likely to make straight for the underground cells, or for the Portsmouth hulks,’ said he.

‘A soldier takes his chances,’ I remarked.  ’It is only the poltroon who reckons always upon the worst.’

I raised a flush in each of his sallow cheeks at that, and I was glad of it, for it was the first sign of spirit which I had ever observed in him.  For a moment he put his hand out towards his water-jug, as though he would have hurled it at me, but then he shrugged his shoulders and sat in silence once more, biting his nails, and scowling down at the floor.  I could not but think, as I looked at him, that perhaps I was doing the Flying Artillery a very bad service by bringing him back to them.

I never in my life have known an evening pass as slowly as that one.  Towards nightfall a wind sprang up, and as the darkness deepened it blew harder and harder, until a terrible gale was whistling over the moor.  As I looked out of my window I could not catch a glimpse of a star, and the black clouds were flying low across the heavens.  The rain was pouring down, and what with its hissing and splashing, and the howling and screaming of the wind, it was impossible for me to hear the steps of the sentinels.  ‘If