ossible to do somethin'. If we could
let him know that we're near at hand I'll go bail he'd cook up some
kind of a plan."

While thus talking we had been walking at a reasonably rapid pace
toward the ruins of the arsenal, and were now arrived so near that it
was possible to see the red-coated sentries pacing to and fro in front
of the building. At one side a number of soldiers were bivouacked,
probably that they might be on hand in case the prisoners attempted to
rise against the keepers, and here, there, everywhere were curious
ones--perhaps some interested as were we--gazing at the small building
where were so many brave fellows, most likely penned up like cattle.

"The greater number of those idlers must be townspeople, and since
they are allowed to loiter around the buildin' there's no good reason
why we shouldn't do the same," Jerry said as I came to a halt, and he
had hardly more than spoken before he stepped back very suddenly,
pulling me with him.

"What's the matter?" I asked in alarm, for at such a time one's fears
rise rapidly.

"Look at that fellow who is standin' on his tiptoes to look in at the
window!" my partner whispered, and obeying, I saw that miserable cur
whom we had twice captured, and who had contrived to escape us the
same number of times.

"Elias Macomber!" I cried involuntarily.

"Ay," Jerry replied, "an' now I can read you the whole riddle. Darius
came around this way when the prisoners were set free; Macomber saw
him, and gave information to the enemy, thus causin' the old man's
arrest. Now the villain is tryin' to get a glimpse of the sailor in
order to crow over him!"

I had no doubt but that the lad had come very near the truth in his
guessing; but I did not speculate upon it very long, for the question
in my mind was whether we could be of any service to the old man who
had served us so truly and faithfully.

"What's to be done?" Jerry asked as we stepped behind a clump of
bushes in a nearby garden where we might not be seen by the fellow who
would have rejoiced if he could have put us in the same place with
Darius.

At the moment Jerry spoke I had never an idea as to what might be
done; but I replied as if the plan was plainly mapped out in my mind:

"You shall go back to the smoke-house and tell father and the lads
what we have learned. Say that we may not be back until dark; but they
are to stay under cover no matter what happens, short of being
discovered by the British.