The Boy Spies of Philadelphia

Enoch's cheerfulness had a beneficial effect upon his companions, and during the next hour Jacob refrained from suggesting difficulties which might be encountered.

Then came the time when one end of the board was severed, it having been literally whittled apart.

It was Enoch who first accomplished his portion of the task, and Seth had so nearly finished that by bending this particular piece downward it was readily broken off.

Reaching through into the aperture, and exploring by sense of touch, Enoch announced that there was probably nothing between them and the apartment below save narrow strips of inch-thick lumber and plaster.

"By taking up one more board we shall have space enough, and I think it will be best to use this piece to pry the other out."

Owing to the woodwork at the side of the room this plan was found to be impracticable, and once more Enoch went to work with his knife.

Not until another hour had passed was the task finished, and then, regardless of the noise, the boys pried the board from its place.

When this had been done they waited in silence several moments, to ascertain if an alarm had been given, and, hearing nothing, Enoch set about dismantling the bed in order to get possession of the posts as weapons.

This was neither a difficult nor a lengthy task, and when he had given each of his comrades a stout oaken timber, from three to four feet in length, he exclaimed:

"Now we are ready, boys! Once we begin there must be no delay. Punch a hole through the ceiling, and then we'll drop down regardless of what may happen, fighting our best when we are once where anything of that kind is possible."

CHAPTER XVII.

IN SELF-DEFENSE

Although the youngest of the party, Enoch was looked upon as leader, probably because the idea was his and because he appeared so certain it could be carried through to a successful issue.

"We'll keep right at your back, no matter how foolhardy you may be," Seth whispered as Enoch hesitated.

"I know I can count on you fellows; but the thought has just come into my mind that perhaps one or more may be lamed by jumping through the hole after it has been made. What is to be done then? It seems to me important General Dickinson should know we cannot carry out his orders."

"So it is, and if one is disabled he who is in the best condition must push on to the camp. Two shall stay together here, and the third go back if possible."

"Are you ready?" Enoch asked nervously as he raised his weapon.

"As nearly now as we ever shall be," Seth replied, and in another instant there came a resounding crash as tiny particles of plaster rose in the air.

Enoch had struck the first blow, and his club opened a hole sufficiently large to admit daylight, thus rendering it possible for the boys to see each other.

Jacob and Seth followed his example, and only three blows were needed, for the barrier had been torn away to such an extent that there was ample space for all three of them to leap down at the same time.

"It isn't more than fifteen feet," Enoch said as he looked into the apartment below. "Of course there are chances we may come to grief; but we mustn't stop to think of them. There has been so much noise that the owner of the house cannot fail to know what is being done."

"We'll follow you," Seth replied.

Throwing his club down, Enoch followed, striking the floor with a thud that must have been heard throughout the building.

"Come on! It's all right!" he shouted.

Seth followed his example.

Jacob dropped his weapon, but hesitated before making the leap. The distance looked very great as viewed from above, and the landing-place particularly hard.

"Come on!" Seth cried excitedly. "We can't afford to waste time now, for the Tory is bound to know what is being done, and we must be out of this room before he gets here!"

Jacob was unquestionably afraid; but the sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs told that it must be done quickly, or not at all, and he let himself down by the hands, dropping to his feet from that lessened height.

Enoch did not wait to learn if his comrade made the descent in safety; each instant the noise of the footsteps sounded louder, and, holding his club ready for immediate use, he threw open the door.

The same man whom they had seen the evening previous was in the hallway, running toward them.

He raised his hand, leveling a pistol full at Enoch's head.

"Get back there, you rebel spawn!" he cried in a rage. "Get back, or I'll fire!"

"Come on, Seth!" Enoch shouted, and he flung his club at the Tory, dropping to the floor instantly he did so.

The weapon was discharged at the same interval of time that its owner's arm was thrown upward by the club, and the odds were more even.

"Close in on him now!" Enoch cried as he leaped to his feet and darted forward.

It was as if the boy no longer gave heed to possible danger; the one idea in his mind was that General Dickinson must be told why his order was not obeyed, and he paid no attention to himself, but prayed that at least one of the party might succeed in leaving the house uninjured.

The infuriated Tory struck out with his fist, hitting the boy such a blow as sent him staggering against the wall; but Seth's prompt action turned the tide of battle.

As Enoch was forced back he rushed forward with upraised club, bringing it down on the Tory's arm before he could defend himself, while Jacob closed in with a vain attempt to deal a second blow.

The man retreated, but at the same time succeeded in gaining possession of the club Enoch had thrown, and appeared a most dangerous antagonist as he stood with his back to the wall near the head of the stairs, awaiting an opportunity to deal a murderous blow.

Enoch was out of the battle only a few seconds. The partition on that side of the hallway opposite where the Tory was standing had saved him from a fall, and he at once looked around for something that would serve as a weapon.

The pistol which had fallen from the man's grasp was on the floor, and although it would not be effective against a club, might do good service at close quarters.

"Jump in on him!" Enoch cried as he rushed toward the man. "It is only necessary one of us shall get clear – "

He ceased speaking as he was forced to halt.

The Tory brandished his weapon vigorously, holding open a space directly around him, and it was certain that the first who came within reach would be permanently disabled.

"Stay where you are!" the man shouted, furious with rage. "I will kill every one, and swear to those who come in search of you that I did so while defending myself against a murderous assault made without provocation!"

"Stand back from that staircase, and there will be no need of defending yourself! We only ask for an opportunity to leave this house."

"That is what can't be done while I'm alive! Do you suppose I don't know why you came? You have been sent ahead to spy out the condition of his majesty's troops, and shall never go back to make a report. Keep your distance, I say!"

Jacob had endeavored to creep closer, thinking the Tory was not looking at him, and barely escaped a murderous blow from the club.

Although Master Ludwick did not accomplish anything himself, he opened the way for another to do so, and the battle was soon ended.

When the Tory struck at Jacob he put all his strength in the blow, and the impetus, as the weapon swung in the air meeting with no obstruction, caused him to reel and turn partially around.