He therefore crept forward at once, followed closely by the midshipman, keeping, as far as possible, down beyond the slope of the descent.
Presently, he came to a path.

He saw at once that this was very different from the others--it was regularly cut, sloping gradually down the face of the sharp descent, and was wide enough for a cart to pass.
He at once took his way down it, moving with the greatest caution, lest a sentry should be posted some distance below.

It was very dark, for, in many places, the trees met overhead.
About halfway down he suddenly came to a stop, for, in front of him, rose a bank breast high.

Here, if anywhere, a sentry should have been placed, and, holding his companion's arm, James listened intently for some time.
"Mind what you are doing," he said in a whisper.

"This is a breastwork and, probably, the path is cut away on the other side.