sible to see faint gleams of light coming through the
cracks of the floor, and I realized that the newcomers had with them a
lantern.

The report of Jim's musket had been followed by the discharge of a
pistol, and I heard the lad running across the floor at full speed.

I did not have sense enough to obey the old man's command in regard to
the prisoners; but stood there like a simple, staring at the moving
rays of light, and wondering how long it would take the British
officer to shoot us all down.

Then, to my great surprise, I heard a voice from the head of the
stairs, on the floor where we were, cry loudly:

"This way, sir! We've got the best of two bloomin' Yankees, an' the
other is sneakin' in some corner!"

There came the sound of hurried footsteps, and then the light of the
lantern so far illumined the head of the stairway that I could see
Darius, lying at full length on the floor, within a few inches of the
opening.

Just for one second I stood as if stupefied, and then I understood
what the old man would do.

The British officer ascended swiftly; but before his head was fairly
above the top of the stairs Darius stretched out his long arm, seizing
the gentleman by the throat even as my adversary had seized me.

Now I had my wits about me; running forward swiftly I caught the
lantern before the officer could let go his grasp on it, and thus made
it possible to have a view of what was going on.

Darius hauled his captive up, much as if he had been a bale of
merchandise, and as he was dragged to the floor I saw one whom I
believed to be the miller, directly behind him, within three steps of
the top of the stairs.

With the lantern in my left hand, I thrust forward the barrel of my
musket full in his face, as I said sharply:

"Throw down that gun, or I'll fire!"

[Illustration: With the lantern in my left hand, I thrust forward the
barrel of my musket full in the face of the miller. Page 72.]

The man was armed in much the same fashion as was I; but he had little
stomach for fighting, as could be seen when he dropped the weapon
immediately I spoke, and when it fell clattering to the floor below,
Jim Freeman came into view from behind a pile of bags.

"Can you look after the miller, Jim?" I cried, and the lad replied as
he came bounding up the stairs:

"Ay, let him go, an' I'll blow the whole top of his head off if he
dares to look crosswise!"

I knew Jim's musket must be empty, since he had not