"Take it easy, John," said Jim soothingly, with a pat on the shoulder; "we'll come out all right, my boy."
It was as though Jim were the older of the two, but it was the quality of leadership in him that made him hearten his comrade. Berwick responded, his good nature instantly restored.
"Go it, Cap. I'll see you through this if it takes my head and both feet."
"Thank you, John," replied Jim, gripping the other's hand. "It won't be as bad as that, I hope."
Then they started directly for the fence, to the complete surprise of the engineer, for Jim had declared against that route most emphatically; but Berwick made no protest, for, as James had said that he had a scheme, he knew it would soon develop. He noticed that his leader made no effort to disguise his footprints as they ran, and so it was not a shock to him, when they reached the fence, to see that Jim made no attempt to scale it. He stopped a moment to listen for any sign of pursuit.
CHAPTER XXVI
IN THE MOW
"All quiet along the Potomac," remarked Jim, as no disturbance was heard from the direction of the house.