I did not think that there was much chance of our coming this way, but it was better to find out all about it." Moving slowly and cautiously, they came to a flight of steps.

They descended some twenty feet, and found themselves at an open portal, leading on to the flanking bastion.

The rope was soon fixed.
"I will go first, sahib, and will let you know how far you will have to drop; for the wall looks, to me, higher than it was at the point where I intended to descend." [Illustration: Abdool at once slipped down.] It was tied round the neck of a gun, and Abdool at once slipped down.

There was a pause, then a slight dull sound, and the rope hung loose.
"The knot at the end is ten feet from the ground," Abdool said, in a low tone.
"That is near enough," Harry replied, and then he swung himself over.
When he came to the last knot, he lowered himself to the full length of his arms and let go.

The fall was not much more than a yard; and Abdool stood close by, ready to catch him, should he miss his foothold on alighting.
They at once started, at a rapid pace, down the hill.