d striking directly through the woods.

At the end of this time they had arrived at what appeared to be little
more than a clearing in the woods, where was situated a rude log house
of two stories, around which was piled a complete circle of cordwood
not less than six feet high.

It may have been cut for fuel, but it would serve admirably as
breast-works if the place was attacked by officers.

A small outbuilding, which was evidently used as a stable, stood
fifteen or twenty feet in the rear of the main building, inside the
circle of wood, and near the door were tied two savage looking dogs,
who tugged and pulled at their chains, while they barked loudly as the
party approached.

"If we had left them loose, I don't reckon either the boss or Bob would
have cared to come very near while we were away," the leader of the
party said grimly, as he went toward the stable, leaving the others in
charge of the prisoner.

"There ain't much chance I'll ever be able to tell the inspector what
I've been doing," Jet thought as he entered the enclosure formed by the
fuel, and was led toward the single door of which the house boasted.
"Those dogs would be worse than a hundred men if a fellow was trying to
sneak off."

He had no further opportunity for speculation just then, for the men
pushed him roughly into the house, and he stood in front of the short
man who had so successfully acted the part of a gentleman at the Union
Square Hotel.

CHAPTER VII

A BOLD ATTEMPT

"It seems to be pretty hard to get rid of you," the man said, with a
grin as Jet stood in front of him.

"I can't say it's my fault."

"Perhaps not, and it shan't be ours in the future. Where have you
been?"

"Trying to earn money enough to pay my way back home."

"We'll provide you a job here. If you behave yourself things won't go
so very bad; but there'll be the very devil to pay if we find you
trying to give us the slip."

"I shan't stay any longer'n I can help," Jet replied, stoutly.

"We'll take good care that you can't help it for some time. Sam, take
him up stairs where the small press was; I reckon he'll be safe enough
there; and when Joe comes back turn the dogs loose."

"Then you an' he'll have to be mighty careful about goin' into the
yard, for they'll tackle either of you as quick as they would this boy."

"So much the better. We'll look out for ourselves. There must be work
done to-night, so get ready for it while you are up s