“What’s that, Squire? Did you say it was a telegraphic despatch from Randall’s Island that Jim’s got out?” “Thank God if he had!” exclaimed Aunt Betty, and it looked as if she would have clapped her hands, or danced, if she had not been so anxious to hear. “Jim and four more of ’em,” said the Squire. “It doesn’t tell how they did it, but they might come right here, or he might, and you’d ought to know.” “I’d like to know all about it,” said Uncle John Bronson, slowly. “If you hear anything more, let me know. Jim may not come this way.” “Perhaps not,” said the Squire, “but I just want to say one thing. We’re old neighbors, and Jim’s a right likely young fellow. I can’t guess how he beat ’em, but if he should get up this way, and you or his aunt knew where he was, you needn’t say too much to me. You see, it would be my duty to catch him, and I’d have to do my duty----” “O, no! Never!” broke in Aunt Betty. “I wouldn’t say a word! I wouldn’t be so mean as to put that on you. John wouldn’t either.” “Why, Squire,” said Uncle John, “I don’t know a word about it----” “No more do I,” said the Squire, turning to go out. “Good morning.--But he’s a plucky young fellow, now, I tell you. How they did it, I don’t see.--I’d have to take him. Of course I would. I’d do my duty.--But I don’t really believe they need Jim Harris, much, on Randall’s Island.” So different people, in places widely apart, were aware of Jim’s escape and were taking their own peculiar view of the matter. Quite a number were wishing they knew how he did it but they had not yet found out. A sea tide ebbs with as much force and swiftness as it flowed in with, and it will carry loads both ways. This was the reason why when the House of Refuge lifeboat was found, some hours after it was shoved off by Jim and his crew, it was found knocking against the side of a pier away down, near the middle of the city. Therefore it gave no hint as to where it had landed the runaways. Only an hour or so later, however, the police knew a little more, for they managed to capture poor Joe. He had been altogether too confident and had walked out into the street too soon, without changing his grey uniform for every day clothes. He was a little chopfallen, at first, but he really could not tell much about the other boys. He was at once ferried over to the Island and brought face to face with his old friends, the officers. “What did you run away for, Joe?” asked the pleasant faced Superintendent. “I--I don’t know, sir,” replied Joe. “Didn’t we treat you well?” asked the Military Instructor, for Joe had been a lieutenant in one of the companies. “Of course you did,” said Joe. “But, tell you what, I’d as lief come back, but then, any fellow’d get away, if he had Jim to show him how.” “Big adventure!” exclaimed another officer.