Bathurst, who had taken his place behind him,
saw his muscles stiffen, while there was a tremulous motion of his
fingers. In a minute or two the sentry's walk became slower. In a
little time it ceased altogether, and he leaned against the wall
as if drowsy; then he slid down in a sitting position, his musket
falling to the ground.
"You can come along now," Rujub said; "he is fast asleep, and there
is no fear of his waking. He will sleep till I bid him wake."
They at once moved forward to the wall of the house. Bathurst threw
up a knotted rope, to which was attached a large hook, carefully
wrapped in flannel to prevent noise. After three or four attempts
it caught on the parapet. Bathurst at once climbed up. As soon as
he had gained the flat terrace, Rujub followed him; they then pulled
up the rope, to the lower end of which a rope ladder was attached,
and fastened this securely; then they went to the inner side of the
terrace and looked down onto the courtyard. Two men were standing
at one of the grated windows of the prison room, apparently looking
in; six others were seated round a fire in the center of the court.
Bathurst was about to turn away when Rujub touched him and pointed
to the two men at the window, and then stretched out his arms
towards them. Presently they turned and left the window, and in
a leisurely way walked across the court and entered a room where
a light was burning close to the grate. For two or three minutes
Rujub stood in the same position, then his arms dropped.
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