“Brace up, Jack.  It is not like you to give way to despondency.  What are we going to do?  We can’t stay here even if that fellow with the white mustache has given orders that we are not to be harmed.”

“I tell you what,” whispered young Smith.  “That window is small, but not too small to put me through.  You have done that before, you know.  If you can get that bar loose it will be easy enough to put me out, and then I will go straight to the vessel and get the captain, old Ben Bowline, and a lot of sailors to come and get you out.”

“You know the way, do you, Jesse W., you won’t get lost!” asked Percival, catching at the idea.  “You are a plucky little fellow, but I don’t want you to take any risks.”

“They are nothing but what I can take easy enough,” answered the other quickly.  “Don’t you suppose I would do anything for Jack?  And for you, too.  You have both done a lot for me, and this isn’t much.  You get me through the window, and I’ll do the rest.”

Jack arose quietly, crossed the room, took hold of the iron bar put across the window and tested it.

“I believe we could pull it loose, Dick,” he said in a low tone, not knowing if there were any one outside who might hear him.  “It is only driven into the frame, and I believe we could pull out frame and all.”

“Let me look at it,” said Percival, and, taking hold of the bar, he suddenly swelled up his muscles, gave it a quick, sharp wrench, and had it out with a part of the frame as well.

“H’h! great protection that was!” he laughed.  “I suppose they thought the window was too small for any one to get through, and it is for most folks, but Jesse W. is only half size and we can put him through all right.”

“And I’ll put through the other part,” said the younger boy.  “I am glad I can do something for you two, for you have both of you done a lot for me at one time or another.”

“But see here, J.W., do you understand that there is considerable danger in getting away?” asked Jack in a serious tone.  “These fellows may be watching, and they would handle you roughly if they caught you.  And then it is dark going through the woods, for the moon does not rise till pretty late, and you might fall down some——­”

“And I might not!” interrupted the other in a decided tone.  “I have a pocket light with me.  I always carry one now, whether I think I am going to need it or not, and I can find my way easy enough.  Besides, I have a pocket compass as well, and I know which way the vessel lies, and I am going to get you boys out of here and that’s all there is to it!”

“All right!” and Jack smiled at the smaller boy’s determination.  “But I wouldn’t let you go if I didn’t think you had the pluck to carry it out, and that the only difficulties are at the outset.  Listen at the door, Dick, and I’ll see how the land lies in this direction,” and Jack pulled the chest to the window and looked out.