wet, rendered his
position far more perilous.

But on he went, step by step, until he reached the chimney. It was
breast high to him, and he noticed that it was very large.

From there down to the ground was a long way, and he saw no means of
descending.

Perhaps upon the other side there was a ladder, he thought, and again it
came to his mind that the men might have a rope ladder to bring with
them.

If this was the case he was doomed, and, the thought in spite of the
driving cold rain made him break out into a dense perspiration.

Leaping upon the chimney, for his experience as an amateur sailor had
helped him, and he had often gone on board ships at the wharf and
ascended to the highest point he could reach, hecautiously
went forward.

The men leaped ashore, when the gangplank was run out, and Will followed
them at considerable distance up into the village.

There were quite a number of passengers, so that the boy was unable to
select the one against whom the robbers had plotted.

But he watched his men, saw them go to a livery stable, and soon after
ride out of town at a gallop. Instantly he went to that same stable, and
a few minutes afterward was in a buggy with a driver, going on the road
which the robbers had taken, for the livery man told him how he had
directed them.

By fast driving he came in sight of them, and then he told his man to
draw rein and wait, while he got out and went ahead on foot.

By keeping close in