Of the men who had given instructions six had fallen outside the gate, together with sixteen others; five had been overtaken and brought in; altogether, twelve were still at large.

Among these were the two leaders.

The next day six of the prisoners were tried and executed.

The rest were punished only by a reduction in their rations; sentence of death was at the same time passed upon the twelve still at large, so as to save the trouble of a succession of trials as they were caught and brought in.
The two leaders had kept together after they had broken through the line of soldiers.
"Things have gone off well," one said as they ran through.

"Those soldiers nearly spoilt it all." "Yes, that was unlucky," the other agreed; "but so far as we are concerned, which is all we care about, I think things have turned out for the best." Nothing more was said until they had far outstripped their pursuers, hampered as these were by their uniforms and belts.
"You mean that it is not such a bad thing that they have not all got away ?" "Yes, that is what I mean.