"Gee, I hope we can get to them," said Archer.

"What you got to do, you can do," Tom answered. "I wonder——"

"Sh-h. D'you hearr that?" Archer whispered, clutching Tom's shoulder. "It was much nearerr—right close——"

They held their breaths as the reverberation of a sharp report died away.

"What was it?" Archer asked tensely.

"I don't know," Tom whispered, instinctively removing the short stick and closing the trap door tight. "Don't move—hush!"


CHAPTER VI

PRISONERS AGAIN