a hole through the boarded side of the barn.

Amid the cheers of the scouts the novel battering ram was carried forward
with a will, and on the run. Some of the boys held up lanterns so that
those who were in the line of attack could see just where to strike. Even
poor overcome William managed to raise his head, and feebly wave a hand
of encouragement.

The beam struck with tremendous force, and nothing in the way of a plain
ordinary boarding could withstand the impetus with which it was driven
forward.

"Whoop!" yelled the scouts, as a big aperture appeared in the side of the
barn, and the route to liberty lay before them.

They were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege either, but
hastened to scramble through the gap, carrying the lanterns with them.
William managed to get up enough steam to crawl outside, where he could
breath air that was not fetid, and filled with overpowering odors.

Only Bluff looked back half regretfully at the haven of refuge they had
just quitted. For he was wondering how his father could ever manage to
efface that scent so that the tobacco, soon to be harvested, might be
hung up in that barn without detracting from its marketable value.

And once out of the trap the Boy Scouts began to chase around, with
vengeance in their eyes; but as on previous occasions the wary enemy,
after accomplishing their mischief, had been wise enough to slink away.