When he woke, he felt sure that he had not exceeded the time he had given himself.

He listened intently.

He could hear a low, confused sound, which he knew was made by horses feeding, but he could hear no human voices.

He drank the rest of the water in the mug, then he turned up the bucket, placed it under the opening, and mounted on it.
His first spring failed to reach the sill, and he stood for a few minutes, before making another attempt.

He knew that it was a matter of life or death, for he had no doubt whatever that, even if he gave the required information, which he was determined not to do, however much he might suffer, he would be shot afterwards.