when a mis-step might explode it,
was such a task as any one might well fear to undertake. But the desire
to leave the detective on a weary vigil while they pursued their work
unmolested was such an inducement, as caused each one, even Ralph, to be
anxious to try it.

The night was not as favorable for the scheme as it might have been, for
the moon was nearly full, and objects could be distinguished almost as
readily as at noonday, save when under the veil cast by the shadows.

This moonlight, Bob thought, would not interfere with their plan, since
from the back of the house to the forest was but a few yards, and unless
Newcombe should station one of his men there, the building would screen
them from view.

In case they got safely away from the house, the light would aid them,
both in their journey through the woods and in their work after they
arrived at the well.

For some time the boys enjoyed thoroughly the anticipation of fooling
Mr. Newcombe, and they might have continued to do so until it would have
been too late to accomplish the work, had not Bob reminded them that
they had no time to lose.

Then they made their preparations for the journey or flight, whichever
it might be called. The long, tin cartridges were tied together
securely, with wads of paper between to prevent them from rattling; the
cans of nitro-glycerine were placed by the window, where they could be
gotten at readily, and Bob produced a three-cornered piece of iron,
about four feet long, which weighed twenty or thirty pounds.

"It will be quite an addition to your load; but I fancy you will feel
safer carrying it than you would one of the cans," he said to Ralph.

"What is it?"

And the tone in which the question was asked showed that the newcomer to
the oil fields looked upon this carrying a useless piece of iron through
the woods as very unnecessary work.

"That's the go-devil," replied Bob; and then, as he saw that Ralph did
not understand, he added: "It is to drop through the hole to explode the
cartridges after they are placed in position."

Still Ralph could not fully understand its importance; but he stationed
himself by the window, resolved to carry the go-devil and the cartridges
any distance, rather than take the chances of being obliged to burden
himself with the dangerous oil which the others appeared to regard with
so little fear.

Everything was in readiness for the start, and Bob clambered up to the
peep-hole that he