“Boost me.”
That edge of the roof was not more than five feet from the ground, and, catching hold of it, the lad waited for his companion to lift him up. In another instant he was on top the shed.
“Give me your hands, Late,” he said in a hoarse whisper, and soon the two were on the roof.
Lying at full length, the lads listened anxiously for any sound which might betoken that their movements had been seen. Ten minutes passed, and then they arose on all fours, creeping up the slanting roof to where it joined the main building.
Just above their heads was an open window. Rising to their knees they peeped in, only to find themselves looking into a small, unoccupied room. Laying his hand upon his comrade in token that he was to follow, Dan stepped into the chamber, Late joining him a moment later.
There was no furniture in the room. The young scouts stretched themselves out on the bare floor, and again waited. During a long time there was coming and going about the barracks; then loud conversation below; but at length all was silent.
Dan went cautiously to the door. Lifting the latch slowly, he pulled, and without further effort on his part the door swung open a few inches. Through the narrow crevice the lad gazed. He could see little; but the low tread of the sentinel outside of the prisoner’s door reached his ears. Evidently a long passage was before him, and the soldier was at the farther end.
Turning to his companion, Dan whispered in his ear, and then both, removing their boots, went softly out into the hall. Inch by inch they advanced until within a few feet of the guard.
Here they waited until he, in his efforts to keep awake, came down the passage toward them. In another moment they had seized him as previously planned, one by the feet, and the other by the throat.
There was a struggle; but it was brief and noiseless, for while one lad choked the fellow, the other lifted him from the floor. Fortunately he was not heavy, and could be easily subdued. When the Britisher had been rendered helpless Late took him in charge, while Dan examined the door of the room in which was the prisoner.