"There is the boat!" exclaimed Pope, pointing to a dark object distinguishable in the river about three hundred yards from the entrance of the gorge. Charles listened intently, and, in the deep stillness that prevailed, felt sure he heard the plash of oars. "'Tis the boat, no doubt," he cried. "Shall we go down to meet it?" inquired Pope. Charles signified his assent. "Your majesty will please to be careful," continued Pope. "The descent is somewhat perilous." "You hear what he says, fair mistress," remarked Charles to Dame Gives. Struck by her extreme paleness, he added: "Let me help you to descend." But she thankfully declined the gracious offer. Pope then led them along the edge of the precipitous cliffs, till he arrived at a spot where the bank was not quite so steep, and was fringed with bushes. "Here is the path, my liege," he exclaimed. "Follow me, and proceed cautiously, I beseech you. A false step might prove fatal." He then plunged amid the bushes, and was followed by Charles. Close behind the king came Dame Gives. Their movements had been watched by the troopers, who carefully marked the spot where they commenced the descent, and in another minute were cautiously following them. The path taken by Pope brought those whom he conducted among the rocks lower down, and here Charles gave a helping hand to Dame Gives, and saved her from the consequences of more than one unlucky slip; but nothing worse occurred, and they all reached the bottom of the cliff in safety. They were now at the entrance of the gorge, and the river, confined by the rocks, was sweeping rapidly past them through its narrow deep channel. Charles was gazing at the darkling current and at the towering cliffs, that filled him with a sense of awe, when Pope called out that the boat was at hand. Next moment it came up, and Captain Rooker, who had been rowing, leaped ashore and made it fast to the stump of a tree. Careless did not land, but helped Dame Gives into the boat, and Charles was about to follow, when shouts were heard, and the two troopers rushed towards them. Jumping into the boat, Charles ordered Rooker to set her free. But the skipper paid no attention to the command. "Thou art taken in the toils, Charles Stuart," he cried. "As an instrument in accomplishing thy capture, I shall receive my reward." "Be this the reward of thy treachery, villain," cried Careless. And drawing a pistol from his belt, he shot him through the head. As the traitor fell to the ground, Pope unloosed the rope, and set the boat free, jumping into it, as he pushed it from the bank. At the same moment, Charles seized the oars, and propelling the boat into the middle of the stream it was swept down by the rapid current.