t this kind of business than I
do, take hold an' run the thing. We'll see how far you'll get before the
whole crowd is nabbed."

"I don't know anything about it, of course; but I can see there's nobody
between us an' the ferry-slip that would likely make trouble."

"If we depended on you, we wouldn't have got so far as we have," Master
Fernald replied, disdainfully. "Jest likely as not, there's a dozen cops
hid close 'round here, an' I ain't goin' to be fool enough to walk right
into their arms."

Plums was silenced by this exhibition of superior wisdom, and Joe
indifferent to whatever steps might be taken for his own safety;
therefore Dan was not interfered with in his management of the affair.

The scouts set about their work, and not until fully ten minutes had
passed did the amateur detective give the word for the fugitives to
advance.

"I reckon it's all straight enough now, an' we'll go on board the boat;
but there's no tellin' what might have happened if I hadn't 'tended to
the work in the right way."

Then Master Fernald walked a few paces in advance of his friends, moving
stealthily, as if knowing danger menaced them on every hand, and casting
furtive glances up and down the street until, had any one observed his
movements, suspicions must have been aroused as to the innocence of his
purpose.

Jerry paid for the ferry tickets out of his own funds, for it was the
purpose of these rescuers to remain in the company of the fugitives
until they should have escaped from the State.

Once on the boat, Joe wanted to remain in the ladies' cabin, because of
the princess; but Dan would not countenance any such rash proceeding.

He insisted that they must take up their stations in what was, for the
time being, the bow of the boat, where they could prevent possible
pursuers from "sneakin' up on 'em."

The princess made no objection to this breezy position, otherwise the
boy who was being rescued by Master Fernald would have flatly refused to
obey orders; and thus the fugitives and their friends remained where
every passenger on board must of necessity have seen them.

Dan gave his friends what he considered good advice during the passage,
and when the boat was nearing the slip on the Jersey side, summed up his
instructions with a statement which electrified them all.

"You fellers are to hang 'round Weehawken till 'long towards dark, when
Plums must come down to the ferry-slip. I'm goin' back to New York to
fi