"I suppose you belong to the town?" he began.
There was a general assent from the five boys, who looked with considerable respect at John--who, although but two years the senior of the eldest among them, wore a man's garb, and carried sword and buckler.
"I am one of the bodyguard of the governor," John went on, "and I dare say you can tell me all sorts of things, about this country, that may be useful for him to know. Is it quite certain that no one could climb up these rocks from below; and that there is no fear of the Romans making a surprise, in that way?"
The boys looked at each other, but no one volunteered to give information.
"Come!" John went on, "I have only just left off being a boy, myself, and I was always climbing into all sorts of places, when I got a chance; and I have no doubt it's the same, with you. When you have been down below, there, you have tried how far you can get up.
"Did you ever get up far, or did you ever hear of anyone getting up far?"
"I expect I have been up as far as anyone," the eldest of the boys said. "I went up after a young kid that had strayed away from its mother. I got up a long way--half way up, I should say--but I couldn't get any further. I was barefooted, too.
"I am sure no one with armor on could have got up anything like so far. I don't believe he could get up fifty feet."
"And have any of you ever tried to get down from above?"
They shook their heads.