the other, holding on to the
side of the ladder at the same time with a few of his fingers, as best
he could.

He had hardly reached the bottom when Smiler was tumbling beside him.
The boy ran over to a corner of the cellar. Phil followed.

A huddled bundle lay on the damp ground. Phil dropped beside it and
turned it over, setting down his lantern.

It was the unconscious form of Jim Langford, trussed with knotted
ropes until it looked more like a bale of cast-off clothing than a
human being. Jim's face was white and all bloody-streaked at the
forehead and mouth.

Phil took out his knife and slashed at the ropes. He chafed the arms
and legs. He tossed his hat to Smiler and said one word:

"Water!"

Smiler ran off up the ladder and was back in less than a minute.

Phil seized the hat and splashed some of the cold water on the upturned
face, wiping the blood from Jim's mouth with his handkerchief.

After a bit, Jim sighed and opened his eyes. Phil held his hat to the
oozy lips and Jim drank greedily. Soon he was all alert. He sprang to
his feet, staring around him wildly.

"Damn them, the Siwashes! Damn them,--they got me! And they've got
awa'."

Then he sagged at the knees and collapsed.

He did not lose consciousness again.

"Take your time!--take your time!" cautioned Phil.

Slowly Jim's strength returned and his brain cleared. He wanted to be
up and away at once, but Phil, with his usual caution, insisted on
hearing everything that had happened before he would move a foot,
knowing that if anything had still to be done Jim would be none the
worse for half an hour's rest.

"Stay where you are and tell me all about it," he insisted.

"Stay! Hang it, man,--I canna stay. Come on! I'll show ye. It will be
better than sitting here and talking. But bide a bit! We'll get them
yet or my name's no' Jim Langford.

"Smiler," he cried, "come here laddie!"

The boy came forward.

"Go up to Mrs. Clunie's. Shut the barn door up there after ye. Don't
make a noise. Saddle our two horses and bring them doon to the corner.
Our rifles as well;-they're in the locker behind the stable door!
Quick! Awa' wi' ye!"

Smiler nodded his head rapidly and was up the ladder and off like a
shot.

"Come along here!" Jim continued to Phil.

Phil sucked his breath at what he saw, or rather did not see.

It was not a cellar after all,--but a tunnel.

"Weel ye may gasp!" ejaculated Jim, holding up the lantern and peering
ahea