tside.

"That's the Hilltop signal!" whispered Percival "Aid is at hand!"

CHAPTER XVI

BEN'S STRANGE STORY

Jack jumped upon the chest, which he quickly dragged to the little window,
and answered the signal, one generally used by the Hilltop boys when they
wished to communicate with each other at a distance.

In a moment it was answered, and then young Smith ran up under the window,
and said eagerly:

"You are all right, boys, you are there still, and safe!"

"Yes," answered Jack. "Who is there?"

"Some of the boys, Ben Bowline, the captain and Buck, all ready for a
fight if necessary."

"All right. I don't think you will need to make one."

Percival was at the door now, and in a moment he heard the outer one fall
in with a crash, and then came the rush of many feet.

There were shouts outside, but these were drowned by the yells of the
boys, and of the old sailor.

"Are yo' dere, sah?" the boys heard Bucephalus say in a few moments, just
outside the door.

"Yes, but we are locked in."

"Nevah min' dat, jus' lemme get mah head at it an' Ah'll break it down in
a hurry, sah."

"Here, stop that!" roared Ben Bowline. "You'll crack yer skull!"

"No, sah, Ah's used to dem things!" guffawed Bucephalus.

"Don't you know that his name means 'ox-headed,' Ben?" cried Percival with
a laugh. "Why, he could split a two-inch plank with that head of his. Let
him do it, but first wait till I get out of the way."

It was not necessary for Bucephalus to butt the door down, however, as one
of the men with Rollins had been captured, and was forced to open the door
with his key.

It was the same man who had brought them food and wine, and at the sight
of the boys, for lights had been brought, he exclaimed:

"Guess you boys didn't drink anything?"

"No, we did not," said Percival. "Won't you have it your self?"

"Huh! I think not. But where's the little fellow? The one that was asleep
when I come in."

"Here I am!" piped up Jesse W. himself, "and you'll find that I am pretty
wide awake."

The boys picked up their coats, and put them on, and the man muttered, his
eyes opening wider every moment:

"Huh! that was a neat trick! Then the boy was not there at all?"

"No, he was on his way for help," said Jack. "Never judge too much by
appearances. Still, I am glad you did this time."

The boys and their friends now left the house, the man being taken a short
distance to prevent his giving the alarm, altho