154 
ESCAPE. 
became incapable of observing that I did not 
drain my cup till I had passed its contents 
through the floor, and was imperceptibly near- 
ing the now open trap-door. I took the first 
opportunity of diving through the orifice, and 
with a bold step shaped my course for the stair- 
way at the top of the rock, where I felt I could 
dispute my departure on even terms. My guide 
appeared with rather a hang-dog look, and we 
wasted no time in getting to our boat and row- 
ing out some distance from the shore,” 
