"We'll remain here quietly just as long as it is daylight, Neb," he
replied finally, "but we'll try every board and every log to discover some
way out. Just the moment it grows dark enough to slip away without being
seen we've got to hit the prairie. Once south of the Arkansas we're safe,
but not until then. Have you made any effort to get out?"

The negro came over to him, and bent down.

"I was layin' on a board what I'd worked loose at one end," he whispered
hoarsely, "back ob de bench, but I couldn't jerk it out wid'out somethin'
ter pry it up wid."

"Where is it?"

"Right yere, Massa Jack."

It was a heavy twelve-inch plank, part of the flooring, and the second
from the side-wall. Keith managed to get a grip next to the black fingers,
and the two pressed it up far enough for the white man to run one arm
through the opening up to his shoulder and grope about below.

"There's a two-foot space there," he reported, as they let the board
settle silently down into position. "The back part of this building must
be set up on piles. I reckon we could pry that plank up with the bench,
Neb, but it's liable to make considerable racket. Let's hunt about first
for some other weak spot."

They crept across the floor, testing each separate board, but without
discovering a place where they could exert a leverage. The thick planks
were tightly spiked down. Nor did the walls offer any better