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Chapter 6
PleaseGodIhadsettheplaceonfire,forIcouldhearconfusedcriescomingfromtheotherside.
ButIhadnotimetolinger,sincethismillwasobviouslyabadhiding-place.Anyonelookingformewouldnaturallyfollowthelade,andImadecertainthesearchwouldbeginassoonastheyfoundthatmybodywasnotinthestoreroom.FromanotherwindowIsawthatonthefarsideofthemillstoodanoldstonedovecot.IfIcouldgettherewithoutleavingtracksImightfindahiding-place,forIarguedthatmyenemies,iftheythoughtIcouldmove,wouldconcludeIhadmadeforopencountry,andwouldgoseekingmeonthemoor.
Icrawleddownthebrokenladder,scatteringchaffbehindmetocovermyfootsteps.Ididthesameonthemillfloor,andonthethresholdwherethedoorhungonbrokenhinges.Peepingout,Isawthatbetweenmeandthedovecotwasapieceofbarecobbledground,wherenofootmarkswouldshow.Alsoitwasmercifullyhidbythemillbuildingsfromanyviewfromthehouse.Islippedacrossthespace,gottothebackofthedovecotandprospectedawayofascent.
ThatwasoneofthehardestjobsIevertookon.Myshoulderandarmachedlikehell,andIwassosickandgiddythatIwasalwaysonthevergeoffalling.ButImanageditsomehow.Bytheuseofout-juttingstonesandgapsinthemasonryandatoughivyrootIgottothetopintheend.TherewasalittleparapetbehindwhichIfoundspacetoliedown.ThenIproceededtogooffintoanold-fashionedswoon.
Iwokewithaburningheadandthesunglaringinmyface.