“Let’s all try,” suggested Frank.
There were four large spoons. The chums moved the table so they could kneel side by side and inserted the handles into the narrow crack.
“All together!” called Bart.
The piece of flooring suddenly slid back, revealing a flight of steps leading downward into the hold of the boat.
“Hurrah!” cried Ned. “Now we’ll show Captain Needham a trick or two!”
“We must wait until night!” said Bart. “It will be easier then. Besides, we’ll need a lantern in that dark hole, and they’ll bring one with our suppers. Now I can eat with a good appetite.”
“How can we escape in these clothes?” asked Fenn, looking at his overalls and jumper.
“I’m not so afraid as you are of meeting the girls,” spoke Bart. “Let’s eat now. I wish it was night!”
The chums thought they had never known such a long day. At noon their dinner was served, the same precaution being observed as with the breakfast. With supper the man brought a lantern which he hung up on a hook in the ceiling. Then he went out, closing the door and locking it. All the while the barge had been steaming ahead.
“Wonder why they used that trap door to take the things away by last night?” asked Ned.