“Yes,” Hugh assented, “it’s got a stone basement, he told me, which would be apt to hold out for quite some time against the water, because there’s little current up here, and only the sweep of the wind to fear.”
The launch was steered so as to come up alongside that part of the stable where they could see the door was situated. This was now half under water, and if found to be locked Hugh would have to use the key the farmer had thought to put in his hand before they left the land.
“First time a boat ever called at their door, I bet you!” said Tip. “I know the folks, and have been here at their place more than once.”
He and Monkey Stallings held the launch steady while Billy tried the door.
“Locked, Hugh, and here’s the padlock six inches under water,” he remarked, in a disgusted tone. “We’ll have to try and break in, I reckon.”
“No, take this key the owner gave me,” Hugh explained. “Be careful not to let it slip out of your grip, or we will be in a hole.”
Billy promised to be cautious, and after a little fumbling managed to undo the big padlock.
“Wait and we’ll get the boat out of the way so the door can be drawn back,” Tip Lange told him. “Then the poor animals can wade or swim out as they please, if it happens they’re loose.”
A number of whinnies had come from inside the stable, showing that the imprisoned horses recognized the presence of human beings, and perhaps understood that a way would be opened for their exit.
“I can hear them thrashing about a good deal,” Monkey announced, “which I would take to mean they might be free from their halters and hitching ropes.”