"The fellows are all there, except Jim White," returned Dick, "and there he comes, puffing like a steam-engine."
"Then we're safe. Have you got the rope all ready, Billy?"
"Yes, slip-knot and all."
"Then come on, fellows."
And the boys cast one lingering glance at the crackling flames, the fire-engine, and the crowd, then turned round and started heroically in the opposite direction. They knew well where the cannon was, for had not the victorious party jeered at them from the top of the shed, when they went to reconnoitre early in the morning? They looked cautiously over the gate of Davis's barn-yard. All was quiet. They opened the gate, and walked softly in. Yes, there stood the bone of contention, alone, unguarded, its mouth pointed towards the barn.
"Hurry up, Bert; you understand about putting on the rope," said the nervous Sergeant, as he watched the smoke against the sky growing perceptibly less.
"They'll suspect us, sure," replied Joe, "when they find we're not there."
"Think of missing a fire!" groaned Bert; "and such a beauty too!"
By the time the boys were ready to start the smoke had almost died away, and the shouts had entirely subsided.
"We must fight to-day, fellows, or break up the company," said Tommy, as they toiled up the field dragging the gun after them over the rough ground.