arms that were stored in the St.
Louis Arsenal. Of course this was done to keep the weapons from falling
into the hands of the Confederates, who were already laying their plans
to capture them, but Mr. Westall looked upon it as an insult to his
State, and grew red in the face when he spoke of it.

"That was what made the trouble here in Missouri," said he, with great
indignation. "Up to that time we were strong for the Union, and took
pains to say that the State had no call to sever her connection with it;
but at the same time we recommended, as a sure means of avoiding civil
war, that the Federal troops should be withdrawn from all points where
they were likely to come into collision with the citizens. How was that
recommendation received? With silent contempt, sir; with silent
contempt, and that is something we will not stand."

Supper being over Mr. Westall, Nels and Jeff left the cabin, to shut Tom
Percival up in the corn-crib, the latter carrying upon his arm a
tattered blanket which the prisoner was to use "to keep himself warm."
It was with a heavy heart that Rodney saw him go, and as Tom did not
once look his way, the latter could not even give him a glance of
encouragement. When the three men returned at the end of ten minutes Mr.
Westall was saying:

"It's a slimpsy place to shut a prisoner up in and I should be afraid to
trust it, if it were not for the dogs. He can't crawl out between the
logs, that much is certain; but the door is almost ready to drop from
its hinges, and has a good deal of play back and forth behind the bar.
If he had a thin, stout stick he could slip it through the crack, lift
the bar and take himself off."

"But I tell you again that there aint the first thing in the crib that
he can stick through that there crack," exclaimed Jeff, earnestly.
"There aint nothing but corn ever been in there."

"I reckon he's safe enough," said Mr, Westall. "At any rate we will take
our chances on it and try to get a good night's sleep. It might be well
for whoever gets up during the night to mend the fire, to step out arid
take a look at him. Now, Jeff, what about sleeping arrangements? There
are not bunks enough for all of us, and I reckon we'll have to tote this
table of yours out doors to make room for us to lie down on the floor,
won't we?"

"Now that your prisoner is out of hearing, would you have any objection
to telling me what he has been doing?" inquired Rodney, as Jeff and Nels
pushed bac