The poet, who had in his own mind a large stock of that romantic and enthusiastic spirit of adventure, which he has described as animating the youthful hero of his drama, devised and undertook the perilous enterprise of escaping from his prison.

He inspired his companions with his sentiments and when every attempt at open force was deemed hopeless, they resolved to twist their bed-clothes into ropes, and thus to descend.

Four persons, with Home himself, reached the ground in safety.

But the rope broke with the fifth, who was a tall lusty man.

The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a brave young Englishman, a particular friend of Home's.