When let out of the closet Captain Grady begged hard for his liberty. But the boys were obdurate and Caleb Dottery backed them up, as did Jack Blowfen.
"Ye have done wrong an' must suffer," said the latter, and there the matter rested.
By nine o'clock the two boys and Blowfen were off. They took with them enough provisions to last several days, as the journey upon which they were about to enter would be for the greater part through a dry and unproductive section. This same section has now been made, by a system of irrigation, very productive.
"And now to find Uncle Barnaby and bring our enemies to terms!" cried Paul, as they rode out of the stockade.
"So say I, and may uncle be found well," added Chet.
"Amen," murmured Jack Blowfen.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Something about Barnaby Winthrop
"My uncle a prisoner about ten miles from here?" repeated Allen Winthrop, after Lou Slavin had made his confession.