The room where they slept was in the upper story of the house, and there was a window in it which opened upon a shed that served as a kitchen. There was no means of fastening the door, and neither of the youths thought there was any special occasion for securing it, as they did not apprehend any disturbance from the family, and it was hardly likely that an outsider could make an entrance without being stopped by some one below stairs.
They threw off their clothing and retired to the double bed which stood in one corner of the apartment, and in less than five minutes both were sound asleep. Harry was on the front of the bed, while Jack lay next to the wall.
About midnight Harry was waked by a hand upon his shoulder, and he was about to ask, “Who's there?” in an audible voice, when he heard a gentle “Hush!” close to his ear.
Instantly collecting his thoughts, he asked, in the same low whisper:
“What's the matter?”
“Hush! don't speak, and don't move till I've been gone five minutes. Keep still, and listen.”
“Certainly,” said Harry; “what's the trouble?”
“Father's gone to get some men, who 'll carry you off. They are hiding in the woods a mile or so back from here, and he's just gone for 'em. You've time enough to git away, and you'd better git.”
“We 'll git, you bet,” answered Harry; “but who are you?”
“Never mind,” was the soft answer, “I'm your friend, that's all.”