How will they try to rescue you?"

Tommy shook his head. He knew better than to allow himself to be drawn
into giving any information, and the boy laughed at his caution, and
climbing on to one of the two empty orange boxes, which were the only
seats that the fort contained, he kept a good lookout.

Tommy climbed on to the other, and standing on tiptoe was just able to
peer over the edge of the fort.

The open space that surrounded it was deserted, and although Tommy
searched the bushes with anxious eyes he could not see any signs of his
fellow-besiegers. He knew that Hal must be exceedingly angry with him,
and that if the attack on the fort could have been carried on while he
was a prisoner, he would have been left there as a punishment.

But, as it was, he comforted himself with the thought that, for the
sake of capturing the flag, they would rescue him as soon as ever they
could.

Presently his sharp eyes caught sight of Drusie creeping from bush to
bush. He was afraid that the boy had seen her too, for, stepping down,
he picked up a lasso and coiled it in readiness.

"Hi, you," he said, imperiously addressing his prisoner. "You must get
down and sit on the floor."

"Not unless you can make me," retorted Tommy; "and if you are holding
me down, you won't be able to fight."

There was so much truth in that that the boy went back to his box
again, and Tommy was permitted to remain upon his.

And now the situation grew exciting, for the rescuing party advanced in
full force and without any real attempt at concealment. Tommy wondered
what was their plan of attack.

The boy was puzzled too, and as they approached he glanced sharply from
one to the other. Drusie darted from bush to bush, a cannon-ball in
either hand. Hal, with nothing in his left hand, but with his right
concealed in his pocket, followed her, and Helen and Jim skirmished
about in a somewhat aimless fashion on their own account.

But all the time they drew steadily nearer to the fort, and Tommy
watched their movements with the keenest interest, ready to scramble
out directly he was rescued.

When they were within ten or fifteen yards, Hal and Drusie paused, and
the latter, with all the strength of which she was capable, hurled her
cannon-balls in quick succession into the fort.

The first was beautifully aimed. It broke on the boy's head, and for a
moment choked and blinded him. The second struck Tommy on the head,
and caused him to