spair; unless more help could be brought upon the
scene, her two best men would be taken prisoners.

"I am coming," shouted an eager voice at that moment; and Tommy,
dripping wet from head to foot, came running up, armed with as many big
balls as he could carry. Right up to the very walls of the fort he
went, and threw his balls into it in quick succession.

There was a muffled shout of indignation, which suddenly died away into
a smothered choking sound, while, at the same time, the strain on the
ropes relaxed. Jim and Helen did not lose a second in taking advantage
of this, and, slipping back the running knots, they freed themselves.

"Let's capture the ropes," cried Drusie, flinging herself upon them.
But at this point the enemy, who had been choked and blinded for the
moment, evidently recovered himself, for with the rapidity of lightning
the two lassos were drawn back again.

[Illustration: Tommy throwing balls]

"Get back," shouted Jim, and, seizing Helen by the hand, he retreated
with all possible speed. And it was well they did so, for hardly had
the lassos been drawn in than they were flung out again with so strong
and well-directed an aim that, had Jim not set them the example of
flying, one or more of them would have been made prisoners again.

They did not pause to take breath until they were within the shelter of
the Wilderness, where they threw themselves, hot and exhausted, on the
ground.

"This was a failure," said Drusie, and she looked severely at Helen,
"and it was all your fault. You did not obey orders. If it had not
been for Tommy, the day would have been lost. You ought to be
court-martialled, Helen, and I daresay you will be later on when the
fort is taken."

"I am very sorry," said Helen in a shamefaced manner, "but I thought it
would be such a splendid thing if I could get right up to the fort
before the attack began."

"You should not think, then," said Drusie. "You should only do what
you are told.--And, by the way, Tommy, what happened to you?"

"I fell into the stream," he said ruefully. "Helen's shrieks startled
me so much that I lost my balance just as I was crossing it."

"It was the narrowest escape we have all had yet," said Jim. "I vote
that we try the same plan again, and whatever you do, Helen, don't go
and spoil it again by thinking to do something clever."

Before Helen could retort, Tommy jumped up with a shout of defiance,
and snatching up two balls that l