“Oi’ll fix yez fer that!” cried Grogan. “B’ys, Oi have a plan!” he said to the others.
“Shove him into the hay-stack,” cried Barker. “He’s as stubborn as his father was,” he added, in a lower tone. “I’ll fix him later.”
The three caught up the youth, and shoved him into an opening on one side of the stack.
“Come on,” Barker cried to the others. “We have just about time to do that other work, and get away before morning.”
The three villains hurried from the scene, leaving Bob to his fate.
They had gone but a few minutes, when the boy smelt smoke. He looked around. Grogan had knocked out his pipe, and the burning tobacco had set fire to the hay directly behind him!
CHAPTER V
BOB MAKES HIS ESCAPE
For the moment Bob could not realize his awful peril, but when he saw the tiny flame feeding on the loose hay, and creeping steadily toward him, he gave a cry of horror.
The flame became stronger each instant, and as it grew it advanced with increased rapidity.
“I will be burned alive!” groaned the youth.