"Half a dozen of us will go out a short bit, an' you shall follow on behind. There ought to be a chance of slippin' off, an' if there isn't we'll have to give it up, for I'm not willin' you should take too big risks."
Fred threw off his coat and vest that he might be in good condition for running, and then as the men marched out of the slope he crouched in the rear.
The rioters made no demonstration; but stood ready to repel an attack, watching closely all the maneuvers, and Donovan whispered to the boy:
"It won't do to try it, lad. They are scattered around in such a way that you couldn't get a dozen yards before bein' seen."
"I'm going to try it."
"Don't, lad, don't," several said quickly, and, fearing he might be forcibly detained, Fred started.
He went straight back from the slope, bending low in the vain hope of escaping observation, and having gained a distance of an hundred feet set off at full speed, forced to run in a half circle to reach the road.
To those who were watching it seemed as if hardly a second elapsed before a great shout went up from the rioters.
"The sneaks are sendin' for help!"
"Stop that boy!"