There was no light in the room, but the dull glow that came through the door opening into the hallway enabled them to see that the guard was sitting quietly in his chair in a position from which he could, if necessary, see much that was occurring within the room. Cautiously withdrawing from the direct line of vision, Dennis and Noel crawled nearer the wall. Dennis had removed his shoes before either of the boys had stretched themselves on the floor for the night. Not a word was spoken. Acting promptly Noel braced himself against the side wall and assisted his companion to mount to his shoulders. Dennis, who was a powerful lad, at once scrambled to the position, and, hesitating only an instant to discover whether or not his action had been seen, cautiously lifted his hands and tried the slide in the ceiling directly above him. In a moment the two young soldiers again took their position upon the floor, each greatly excited and both relieved when after a few moments had passed they were convinced that their actions had not been seen by the guard. "'T is all right, Noel," whispered Dennis. "The door up there slides back. I can slide it open without any trouble. Now if we can find a piece of sthick, we'll rig our trick for to-morrow night." It was difficult for Noel, throughout the hours of the following day, to repress the excitement under which he was laboring. His uncertainty at times and his fears lest the guard should discover their attempts almost caused him to decide to protest against the adventure. The thought, however, of what freedom would mean was sufficiently strong to overcome his fears and every time his decision became stronger. With Dennis, there was no hesitation. Indeed, it almost appeared as if the perilous attempt had no danger at all for the young Irish soldier. He watched the clouds and beamed upon his companion when the guard was changed, and said, "It looks like we're goin' to have a big rain to-night. It's too early for the equinox, but I reckon we all will have to take it when it comes. I reckon, too," he added, "that we all shan't stay here much longer. We'll be sending you Yanks on to Richmond to join your friends." The prophecy of the guard in part was fulfilled as the day drew to its close, and when the light disappeared the rain was falling heavily. CHAPTER X INTO THE STORM When darkness fell over the land the violence of the storm increased. The whistling of the wind and the swaying of the branches could be heard within the building. "This is just what we want," whispered Dennis. "Yes," replied Noel, though his fears were not allayed by the confidence of his comrade. "You must wait a while, Dennis," he added. "Indade, and I'll wait," replied the young Irishman. "We want to be shure that every wan is aslape before we begin."