re to row for he feared that the oars grating
in the rowlocks might betray him. But he made a paddle of one of the
oars, dipping it in alternately on opposite sides of the bow, paddle
fashion, and before long reached his party, by whom he was received
with intense though subdued jubilation.

In whispers Frank explained to Wilson what he had observed and action
was agreed on accordingly. The party, ten in all, bestowed themselves
as best as they might in their narrow quarters and the boat started on
its perilous expedition.

A paddle was employed as before, and the journey was necessarily slow,
for the boat sank in the water almost to the gunwales. But they
reached the other side at last, and Frank, slipping into the water,
waded to the bank, where he fastened the boat securely.

Whether they would ever step into that boat again was known to none of
the party that slipped like shadows up the grassy bank. They were
outnumbered two to one, or more, and their success depended mainly on
surprise. The slightest slip in their plans would bring the expedition
to grief.

They lay flat on the bank and listened. There was no sound except the
tread of the sentry's feet coming nearer. It was unlikely that the
absence of the boat had been discovered. Still, it might have been,
and the dead silence might portend an ambush by the enemy.

This was a chance, however, that they had to take. But the first thing
to do was to dispose of the sentry.

The path along which he seemed to be coming was bordered with a small
and uncared-for hedge.

In a hurried whisper Wilson gave his commands.

"You, Sheldon and Raymond, creep ahead and lie on opposite sides of the
ledge. When the sentry comes along, close on him at the same time.
Keep him from making a noise if you can. The one thing is to be quick."

Frank and Bart glided along and took up positions opposite each other.

"You grab his gun, Bart, and I'll make for his throat," whispered Frank.

The sentry came on unsuspectingly. Lithe as panthers the boys leaped
upon him, Bart grasping the gun, while Frank's sinewy hands fastened on
his throat.

There was a muffled exclamation and a short sharp struggle. Then the
sentry lay on the ground unconscious, while Frank and Bart hastily
improvised a gag, and bound the man's hands and feet.

"Good work," commended the corporal, as Frank and Bart rejoined their
comrades. "That was the most ticklish part. The rest ought to be