false courage. After a while he will either fall asleep or become
helpless from intoxication."

"I wonder if the boys know that help is outside," remarked Ned, "I wish
I could get a few words with them."

"Of course they know it," replied Hocker. "They heard every word that
was said, and they have too much sense to make any outcry. We'll get
them out of the scrape before long, never fear."

Just then the farmer's shrill voice rang out distinctly from the
hillside behind the mill:

"Keep back, you rascal. If you crawl out that window I'll drop you quick
as a wink."

"Moxley is trying to escape from the second floor," muttered Hocker.
"Wait a moment. I'll be back right away."

He crept down the shore of the creek, and crossed the slope to the
wasteway.

"Is it all right, Zinn?" he called out.

"Yes," came the reply. "The rascal stuck his ugly head out of the winder
a moment ago, but I scared him back. He can't escape on this side."

Hocker was about to rejoin his companions when a dark figure came down
the road and passed through a strip of moonlight which served to reveal
his identity. It was Abner Peck, the farm hand.

In response to a whispered command from Hocker the man jumped into the
boat and pulled hastily across the wasteway. Hocker briefly explained
the situation, and after a little further conversation Abner recrossed
to the main land, while Hocker hurried back to his companions and
related what had occurred.

"I sent him up to the house for provisions and a rope," he concluded,
"and when he returns we'll try to get the lads out of the closet."

This piece of news cheered Ned considerably, and helped him to endure
the suspense with fortitude. Nearly an hour passed by without a sound
from the mill or the alert watcher on the hillside.

The creek was still rising by slow degrees, but the sky was rapidly
clearing and gave every promise of continued fair weather.

Finally a low whistle was heard, and Hocker noiselessly disappeared. He
returned in less than five minutes, and announced that Abner was waiting
with the provisions and the rope.

"Now I have an idea for working this little scheme," he added.
"Jeffries, you go to the other end of the mill and open a conversation
with Moxley--let on you want to reason with him some more. Keep him
talking as long as you can, and meanwhile me and this lad will slip up
the wasteway in the boat and try to get the lads free. If anything goes
wrong, whistle."