y was thoroughly astonished, after I had told my story, because we
had had such plain sailing when there was nothing to start us on a
course for the missing comrade. We had gone out blindly, and by sheer
accident ran upon our man without trouble or delay.

"It heartens a fellow to have things happen this way," my partner said
in a tone of satisfaction. "There's no question but that we're in a
bad box, take it all around, for after the British get settled down in
the city they will most likely look about for such as us, therefore
our work must be done quickly, an' by your hittin' the nail square on
the head it looks as if we might pull through all right."

The future did not look so promising to me. Darius and Bill
undoubtedly knew that they could gain the roof of the "stone house"
during the night; but even then they were far from being free, and I
questioned if it would be possible for us to loiter around the
building after sunset without attracting the attention of the
sentries.

However, it was not for me to throw cold water, because a fellow needs
all his courage when he would do that which lay before us, and it was
well Jerry should feel confident as to the result.

Therefore it was that instead of discussing how we could set about
rendering the necessary aid, I began by questioning as to how the rope
might be procured, and, as a matter of fact, it was by no means a
simple matter to get one of the desired length.

"We've got to buy it, of course," Jerry said quickly, and as if it was
possible for us to make such purchases at any time.

"In the first place we haven't money enough," I suggested, "and
secondly, how many shops will you find open in this city?"

These questions were sufficient to let Jerry understand that it was
not all plain sailing before us, and after some reflection he said:

"Suppose we go back to the smoke-house? There we can talk it over with
the others, an' at the same time get something by way of breakfast."

There was plenty of time at our disposal, since Darius had set ten
o'clock that night as the hour when we could aid him, and I welcomed
my partner's proposition; but instead of going directly to the place
of refuge, I insisted on making a long detour to lessen the chances of
running across Elias Macomber.

That the cur had gone to the encampment hoping to get a permit to see
the prisoners, in order to gloat over their misfortune, I had no
doubt, and if he was successful I felt e