Just then, looking very weak and ill, the messenger came hurrying out of the guard-room, putting on his steel cap. He waited till the general approached, and Roy was near enough to hear what was now said, the man speaking in a husky voice. "Beg pardon, general; will you give orders for me to be supplied with a fresh horse?" "What for?" said General Hepburn, turning on him sharply. "To go with you and join my regiment." "No; stay here. Captain Ramsay, if there is any ruse being practised, as soon as you hear that disaster has come to nay party, place that man against the wall and have him shot." The dragoon raised his hand to his cap in salute; and as soon as the general had ridden out, he staggered more than walked to where the dead horse lay, and took its head into his lap, to sit gazing sorrowfully into its reproachful-looking, glazing eyes. "I'm a tough old chap, Master Roy," whispered Ben, "but my eyes are so watery I can hardly see; and if that orderly warn't an enemy, I'd just go and shake him by the fist." Unconsciously the old sergeant had exactly expressed Roy's own feelings; but the next minute all show of weakness and sentiment had passed away. The trooper turned from the lookers-on, giving the horse's neck three or four pats, and then began to unbuckle headstall, and take off bridle and bit before unbuckling the girths, rising and taking hold of the saddle, giving it a sharp snatch to drag it free. But he had to put his heavily-booted foot against the horse's back, and tug several times before he could get the girths from beneath the heavy weight. Then, throwing the saddle across his arm, and picking up the bridle, he turned to the nearest sentinel, asked a question, had the low archway pointed out which led into the basement used for stabling, and disappeared down the slope. "Oh, my lad, my lad," said Ben, softly; "what a chance if we'd got anything ready!" "What--to surprise?" said Roy, as he watched the portcullis re-descending, and saw the drawbridge begin to glide up directly after. "That's it, sir. They're as weak as weak here now, with all them gone, and we're nine strong men, for Sam Donny could fight in spite of his twissen foot." "There's nothing the matter with Sam's foot, Ben; it's all sham; I've known it from the first." "What?--So much the better, then." "So much the worse, because we can do nothing. They are still a hundred strong." "Nay, sir--not above eighty." "Ten to one, Ben. I'd do anything, but we have no arms." "Take 'em from them, sir." "Rash folly, Ben. I'm soldier enough now to know that it would be like throwing away your lives." "Humph!" growled Ben; and the officer now in command came up and said, firmly-- "Now, Master Royland, I am sorry to seem harsh with you, but, saving at meal-times, when I shall be glad to see you, I must ask you to keep your chamber till General Hepburn returns, and hold no communication whatever with your fellow-prisoners."