Duffel had managed to smother his wrath during the brief moments he was giving his orders; but no sooner had the seemingly pliant tools of his will left, than he again foamed over, and pacing back and forth, continued his cursing, as though he would spend his impotent fury in blasphemy.

Bill and Dick started off, as if in the most cheerful manner and with the greatest alacrity they would do their leader’s bidding.  But no sooner had they reached a safe distance than they began to consult how they were to manage this new and unlooked for phase of affairs, which seemed destined to undermine all their former arrangements and to overthrow their entire calculations and plans.  But Duffel could not be more determined to avoid defeat than they were, and they set down the thwarting or overreaching him as the first object to be accomplished.  Bill reflected awhile, and then said: 

“I think we can manage it.  Instead of going after the men, you must get three horses ready for our immediate departure, while I go and prepare the lady for the journey.  We must endeavor to have everything arranged by eleven o’clock, so as to be sure of success.”

“But how are we to manage Duffel?”

“Leave him to me; I can do that part of the business effectually, I think.”

With this understanding, the rascals parted, each to carry out his part of the work for the evening and night; and they had but little time in which to work, for the afternoon was far advanced, and they had many miles to travel, in order to accomplish their ends.

Before proceeding to the cave, Bill sat down and dated and signed a note, already written, which he folded and addressed to ’Squire Williams, and procured the service of a little boy to carry it to him.  We shall hereafter learn its import and object.

When he reached the cave it was already night.  He found the sentinel in a very uneasy mood, and very anxious to get off till morning, to carry out some design of his own.  He had engaged a member to take his place, but from some cause he had not arrived.  Bill gladly assumed the post, and in a few minutes was alone with his thoughts and plans.

When assured that the other was far enough away, he closed the door to the cave and locked it.  Then, going to the armory, he selected several braces of the best pistols, and secured them about his own person, for his and Dick’s future use.  He next opened the money-chest, and took from it all the gold that had been collected since the last division, some two thousand dollars in all.  This he fastened in a belt worn next to his person.  After making every other arrangement about the room according to his wishes, he went to the magazine and brought out all the powder it contained, and so placed the kegs and other vessels containing it, as to secure the greatest amount of destructive force from the whole.  All these he then connected by trains of the explosive material, which were united in one wider one leading out at the door of the cave.