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. “No. As soon as the battle began I slipped away and came here, as I knew it would be a good time to try to rescue you, as there would be very few soldiers left here.” “Right. Well, let’s get out of here quick, now.” “Come on. You are bigger than me, but I guess you can squeeze through this opening and crawl along under the floor. There isn’t much room, however.” “Go ahead, Tom. I’ll be right at your heels.” Tom worked his way feet-first down through the opening, and then disappeared, and after him went Dick. As Tom had said, there wasn’t much room under the floor, but Dick managed to work his way along and finally crawled out from underneath the floor, and rose to a standing posture, beside Tom. “The guards are still around in front, discussing the battle,” whispered Tom. “Let’s make a dash for the woods.” “Wait a bit. One of them is coming. Give me one of your pistols.” This Tom did and the two crouched closely to the wall, ready to spring upon the guard immediately he should appear. “He is only lighting his pipe,” whispered Tom. “I hear him striking the flint.” “Then we can make a break for the woods. Run your fastest, Tom.” “All right.” Then they set out on the run, making as little noise as possible. They had traversed considerably more than half the distance to the edge of the forest, when one of the guards who had walked to the corner of the building, happened to glance in their direction, and caught sight of the two youths. He was suspicious at once that one of them might be his prisoner. “See if the prisoner has escaped!” he cried to the other guard. “And be quick!” Then finding that Dick was gone, both the guards came rushing around the corner of the building and started in pursuit of the fugitives. “Stop!” yelled one. “Stop, or we’ll fire!” Of course, the patriot youths did not stop, or pay the least attention to the command. They kept right on running and were now at the line of the forest. Into the woods Dick and Tom dashed just as the redcoats drew their pistols and fired at the fugitives. The bullets zipped into the tree trunks just back of them. Again the redcoats fired, with the same result.