At the same instant a red glow shone through the chinks of the boards. As the flames rose higher, licking the sides of the barn, the mutineers broke into brutal cries and taunts.
“You cowards!” shouted Tom desperately; “do you mean to burn us alive?”
“Yes; you can all shrivel up like a bunch of rats or else come out and be shot!”
This utterance from one of the wretches outside was greeted by a chorus of approving shouts and yells. Tom turned despairingly to the others. As he did so the barn began to fill with smoke and hot sparks showered them. It was evident that they must soon adopt one of the alternatives hurled at them by the brutal mutineers.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE ROUND-UP.—CONCLUSION.
As the hot breath of the flames grew more ardent, Hunt began to stir uneasily upon his couch. Suddenly the wounded man came out of his swoon with a shout. He sat upright, staring wildly about him, his blood-stained, wan face illumined by the flames. But after his first instant of confusion he perceived at once what had happened.
“The dogs!” he exclaimed, reeling to his feet, “they’ve set the shed on fire. But we’ll outwit them yet.”
Tom was at his side in an instant.
“You know a way by which we can get out of here?” he exclaimed.
Hunt nodded.