The rest assembled at a spot about fifty yards away, to be counted before they marched to prison again.

As soon as the others had got there, and the guards had gathered round, I went off as hard as I could tear.

And a good start I should have got, if it hadn't been that a sentry on a fort close by fired his piece at me.

Still, I had a good hundred yards' start.
"The guards set to, to run after me, and when they got in sight of me fired their guns; but they were flurried, and the bullets flew past without one of them touching me.

Then I felt pretty safe.