iver.
"Isn't there a place where we can have some chance of defending
ourselves?"

The driver had been silent for some time, and buried in thought.
He did not hear Frank's words, but as he spoke, he looked earnestly
at him, and said,--

"I haf a plan. It may be no good--but it is de only one."

"Ah," asked Frank, eagerly, "what is that?"

"You must all disguise."

"Disguise?"

"Yes--female dress. I sall try to get some."

"But they would recognize us all the same."

"No--de plan is dis. You all disguise--stay below--I sall sit in
de carriage; de horses are all ready now. Ef de people do break
in, dey will all rush up stair to here. You sall be down stair
in de stable. De moment de crowd come, I will haf de gates opened.
You sall spring in--an den I whip up, an make a fly for life.
You ond'stan?"

The driver spoke hurriedly. Frank understood him, and at once
approved. At this the driver went off to get the landlord to procure
female dresses. That worthy hurried away, and soon returned with
about twenty gowns, bonnets, and petticoats. These he threw upon
the floor, and implored them to make haste, for the people outside
were talking of getting a beam to batter in the door. He had implored
them not to, but they scorned his prayers.

Upon this the boys began to put on the dresses, disguising themselves
as well as they could. It was very clumsy work, and they were very
uncertain about the proper way of fastening them; but the driver
and the landlord assisted them. The dresses were those of Italian
peasant women, and required no very elaborate adjustment. Some
coarse bonnets, of an antique type, were stuck on their heads, and
served to conceal their short hair and faces.

With Uncle Moses they had very much trouble. At first he refused
positively, and only consented when he was assured that the safety
of the boys depended upon his disguise. So he yielded reluctantly,
and allowed the driver to officiate as lady's maid.

No sooner was this task concluded, than the landlord and driver
hurried them down stairs, and through a passage-way into the barn.
Outside, in the court-yard, was the carriage, with the horses ready.
The hostler was sent to the gate to fling it open at the driver's
signal, and the landlord, stimulated by a promise from Uncle Moses
of a large reward hi case of his rescue, returned to the hotel, to
operate upon the crowd from that quarter.

CHAPTER XV.

_In the Robber's Hold.--The Briga