the dirt pile had great attractions.

He examined it closely, and had the satisfaction of finding a second
bill exactly like the first.

"These people must have plenty of money if they can afford to leave it
around loose like this," he said, as he placed the newly found wealth
in his stocking directly beneath his foot.

Quite a large quantity of plain paper in small strips was all that
rewarded his further search among the dirt; but he did not think there
was any cause for complaint on his part.

"Twenty dollars will come pretty nigh settlin' for all them fellers
have done to me. Now let's try to study up a plan for gettin' out of
this place. There must be some way."

A second examination of the window gave no encouragement, for his
strength was not sufficient to force aside the bars.

The boards of the floor, while not nailed with any remarkable care,
defied all his attempts to remove them.

Then he looked at the ceiling, which was composed only of the rafters
with beams, poles, and boards laid across the top, but, so far as he
could judge, unfastened.

"I don't know as I should be any better off if I was up there; but it
won't do much harm to make a try in that direction after dark. A
fellow ought to be able to shin up the window bars."

The more he thought of this possibility for escape the more simple did
it seem, and he resolved on putting the plan into execution.

That the dogs were outside ready to try conclusions with any stranger
he understood very well; but it was useless to borrow trouble on this
score until learning whether there was a chance for him to descend to
their level.

"I don't s'pose it'll amount to anything more than gettin' into the
loft, an' then coming down again; but it's better than laying still,"
he said, and from that time until sunset he remained at the window
gazing out at the trees and the deep-mouthed guardians of the place.

When, as nearly as he could judge, two hours had passed from the time
of his arrival, the tall man drove up in a springless wagon which was
apparently filled with food and liquor.

The load was taken into the house, the horse stabled, and then the dogs
were let loose.

That they would be very disagreeable customers with whom to have any
dispute could be well understood as they ran to and fro growling and
snarling, and despite his resolve not to borrow trouble until he knew
there was a possibility it could come, Jet could not prevent himself
fr