The firing continued for an hour, at least, and then suddenly, as Dick walked the floor, he saw one of the wide boards that constituted the floor of the building he was in, lift slowly, and at the opening thus made he saw his brother Tom!
“Sh!” whispered Tom. “I have come to rescue you, Dick.”
CHAPTER XXIV—The Rescue
“Good for you, Tom,” replied Dick, cautiously. “See if you can get in here, and free my arms. Then I will be able to help myself. Wait. I can hold apart the boards with my feet.” This he proceeded to do.
Tom crawled up through the opening and, drawing a knife from his pocket, cut the rope binding Dick’s wrists. Dick stretched his arms, and then rubbed them vigorously to get the blood to circulating. While so engaged, he asked:
“Are there any soldiers on guard outside?”
“There’s a couple around in front,” replied Tom.
“Then we can slip out the other way, keeping the building between us and the guards.”
“Yes. Their interest and intention is on the battle, the sounds of which you have heard, I guess.”
“Yes. Did you take any part in the battle?” inquired Dick.