he way of food, and I've been into every
room."

"Most likely you'll find that the stock of water is quite as low.
We're penned up here without a chance of helping ourselves unless we're
willing to stand a regular battle."

"Well, I don't see why we shouldn't be able to do, that. According to
the boy's story there are only three, without counting this man,
therefore the forces are equal in numbers."

"That is true; but they have the advantage of position by being hidden
in the woods, and we can't show our noses out of doors without the
certainty of acting as targets while they are under cover."

It was not necessary to discuss the matter at any very great length in
order to understand that they had voluntarily entered a trap, and the
entire party gazed at each other in silence while the prisoner appeared
to enjoy the situation hugely.

"I can't see why they want to pen us up here?" Jet said in a low tone
to Harvey when the two were in one of the rear rooms gazing from the
window, and the remainder of the party were with the prisoner.

"It is plain enough," was the petulant reply. "When they found that
you had escaped it was quite natural to suppose you would lead officers
here. Those fellows wanted to get their precious bodies out of the
way; but yet were not willing to leave all their belongings behind.
The work was done systematically. Everything was first carried a short
distance into the woods, and a man left here on guard so we should be
certain to come into the trap."

"Well?"

"Well, while we are here those fellows are carting off their stuff, and
when that has been safely done we shall be allowed to go free, or they
may possibly try to rescue the prisoner, although that would be
needless, since we have no evidence against him."

"Wouldn't things be all right if you could know where the things were
hidden?"

"Of course; why do you ask?"

"Because it seems to me that I might slip out of here after dark and
watch them."

"There would be too much danger in such a job. They had rather get
hold of you than succeed in carrying the stuff away, for you are an
important witness against them, and once in their hands your lease of
life would be cut mighty short."

"I'll run the risk of their getting hold of me."

"But I won't, so there is no need of discussing the matter. I am going
to post the men at the windows in the hope we shall get a shot at one
of the crowd, and while that is being done you m