end him back for food. If we can't get your friends out of the mill we
can at least send them something to eat through that loose board. By
means of the boat one of us can climb into the rafters."

This plan seemed feasible, and Ned felt no compunctions about eating the
crackers. Nothing had ever tasted so good to him before.

Meanwhile Hocker and Jeffries had been quietly holding another
consultation, and now the latter advanced to the side of the mill.

"Moxley," he called in a loud voice, "if you know what's best for you,
you will quietly hand out that gun, and deliver yourself up. The more
trouble you give us, the harder it will be for you in the end. You can't
possibly escape, and your capture is only a question of time. We are
well armed, and won't stand any fooling. Come out now and we'll make it
as easy for you as possible."

There was a brief pause, and then creaking footsteps were heart as
Moxley approached the wall.

"You can talk all night," he shouted hoarsely, "but it won't do any
good. Don't you come too close, Bill Jeffries, or I might draw a bead on
you. We have more than one old score to settle. As for getting me out of
here, you and ten like you can't do it. I have plenty of ammunition and
plenty to eat, and this place will hold me as long as I want to stay.
You can't take me inside of a week. I have four prisoners in here, and
not a mouthful of food will they get, not a sup of water, as long as you
fellows are prowling around. I mean what I say, Jeffries, and you know
it. For your own good I warn you to get out of this. I'll shoot the
first man that enters the mill."

To enforce this hostile declaration Moxley thrust the muzzle of his gun
through a crevice, and Jeffries hastily retreated.

CHAPTER XXVI

BUG'S PROPOSITION

There was dead silence for a while. It was only too evident that Moxley
meant what he said, and though Jeffries and Hocker were brave men, they
were reluctant to engage in a struggle with all the odds against them.

Accompanied by Ned and Bug they moved down to the edge of the water--a
distance of less than thirty feet in the present condition of the
creek--and ensconced themselves in some thick bushes. There was no
slight risk that Moxley would shoot through the crevices if the
moonlight afforded him a tempting chance.

"If we can wait in patience the game will fall into our hands," said
Jeffries. "The rascal has been drinking, and the fiery stuff has given
him