"Why
not enter by the postern?" demanded another. The conversation of the
officers had given him a hint, on which he had formed his answer.
"Love, my brave comrades," replied he, "seldom chooses even ways. I go
on a message from a young ensign in the keep, to one of the Scottish
damsels in yonder tower. Delay me, and his vengeance will fall upon us
all." "Good luck to you, my lad!" was their answer, and, with a
lightened step, he hastened toward the tower.
Not deeming it safe to seek an interview with any of the earl's family,
he crept along the base of the structure, and across the works, till he
reached the high wall that blocks up egress from the north. He found
this formidable curtain constructed of fragments of rock, and for the
convenience of the guard, a sloping platform from within led to the top
of the wall. On the other side it was perpendicular. A solitary
sentinel stood there; and how to pass him was Edwin's next device. To
attack him would be desparate; being one of a chain of guards around
the interior of the fortress, his voice need only to be raised in the
least to call a regiment to his assistance, and Edwin might be seized
on the instant.
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