Bill and Jack remained for a few seconds in the dark shade caused by the
tall wall of the chateau, listening attentively for any sounds of people
moving about. None reached their ears, and only here and there, in the
more distant part of the building, were any lights to be seen gleaming
from the windows.
"We may run for it now without much chance of being seen," said Bill.
"We must step lightly, though, or we may be heard by some of the
sentries. Keep your eye on the star, it's the best guide we have for
the harbour. Now for it! let's start."
They set off, treading as lightly as they could on the ground with their
bare feet, the soles of which were pretty well hardened. For some
distance they had only grass to run over, and a couple of phantoms could
scarcely have produced less sound.
In a short time, however, they reached a fence. It was somewhat rotten,
and as they were climbing over it, a part gave way and came down with a
crash.
"Quick!" said Bill, as he was helping over Jack, who followed him; "we
must run on like the wind; somebody may be coming to find out what's the
matter."
They did not stop, as may be supposed, to repair the damage they had
caused, but soon reaching a road which led in the direction they wished
to take, they scampered on at full speed.
Tall trees grew on either side of the road, which, casting a dark shadow
over it, would have effectually concealed them from view, even if
anybody had been looking out for them. The darkness, however, also
prevented them from seeing any one who might be ahead.
Sometimes indeed they had a difficulty in keeping in the middle of the
road.
"I hope we're going in the right direction," said Jack; "I can't see the
star, and the road seems to me to have twisted about."
"We must, at all events, go on," answered Bill. "Perhaps we shall catch
sight of the star again before long, and we must steer our course
accordingly. There's no use stopping still."
They went on and on.
"There it is at last," cried Jack.
The trees which lined the road were much lower, being indeed mere
pollards, and allowed them to see the sky overhead.
Presently they heard a dog bark; then another and another. Could the
brutes be barking at them?
It was a sign that there were dwellings near, and the inhabitants might
be looking out to ascertain what made their dogs bark.
"Never mind," whispered Bill; "the chances are that the dogs are tied
up, and if we keep moving the people won't see us."
They passed through the village or hamlet.
They were still, they knew, some distance from the harbour.
Here and there only could they see a light twinkling from a window,
probably of some sick-chamber. It was pretty evident that most of the
people had gone to bed, still some one or other might be up who would
give the alarm.
They found themselves verging to the right; it was better, however, than
keeping to the left side, which might lead them away from the harbour.
Presently they came to some grassy downs, and the regular road they had
been pursuing turned sharp off to the left.
"We had better keep straight on," said Bill; "we shall be more exposed
on the open downs; but then it isn't likely that anybody will be there
to see us, so that won't matter."
Jack, as usual, was ready to do whatever Bill proposed. They got
quickly over the grass, which was cropped short by sheep feeding on it,
and they could manage to see somewhat better than they had done on the
road. Presently Jack, whose eyesight was even keener than Bill's,
having been well practised at night from his childhood, caught his
companion's arm, exclaiming, "Hold back; it seems to me that we have got
to the edge of the downs."
They crept cautiously forward. In another instant they would have leapt
down a cliff some hundred feet in height, and been dashed to pieces.
They turned away from it, shuddering at the fearful risk they had run,
and kept along on somewhat lower ground, still having the star which had
before guided them ahead.
Once more they found themselves approaching buildings, but they were low
and scattered; evidently only in the outskirts of the village.
"We must be close to the harbour now," said Jack.
"The greater reason that we should be cautious," observed Bill. "This
road, I suspect, leads right down to the part of the harbour we want to
reach."
They ran on, their hope of escape increasing.