CHAPTER XIX
HOPE IN THE ATTIC
Shadows of early evening were beginning to creep over the silent swampland before the boys hit upon a practicable plan of escape. They hadhad two hours' hunt through the dust-choked attic, braving aseventy-five year accumulation of rubbish which generations of rats hadchewed and scattered to its four corners.
They found a trunk of ancient vintage that still held up sufficientlyto enable them to sit down and rest upon it. Before them, the frontattic window offered possibilities and they were discussing it pro andcon. Also, they had been able to open it and because it lacked shuttersthey enjoyed what was left of the daylight and welcomed the occasionaldamp, warm breeze that blew in.
Skippy had found in the rubbish a coil of rope that was in excellentcondition. Nickie had come upon what apparently had been the handle ofan antique iron pot, and the two discoveries had formed the nucleus oftheir present discussion.
The giant evergreen of poor Timmy's dream spread its lofty boughswithin a few yards of the small window. "That pot handle's strongenough to wedge out those bars, Nickie," Skippy was sayingthoughtfully. "It'll take maybe a coupla hours, 'cause I guess they'rein there pretty tight. When we get that done, I'll lasso that tree an'tie it pretty tight somewheres in here."
"I getcha, kid!" Nickie said enthusiastically. "We swing out along ithand over hand, hah? Then, when we hit a strong-lookin' branch we dropan' zip, we're on the ground fore we know it!"
"Yeah, that's it. It's the only way. We been all over this house an'this is the best we can do."
"Sure. It's work but ain't it worth it? Anyways, kid, let's put the bagon. We ain't had no chow all day, we been so busy turnin' this placeupside down. How about it?"
"Gee whiz, I most forgot I had a stomach--honest! I can't thinkanothin' but gettin' away. But I'm hungry, that's a fact."
"Yeah, me too. Even them canned beans'll taste like turkey tonight."
"_Beans!_" Skippy said disgustedly. "It'll be nice to eat sump'nbesides canned beans n' stale crackers n' coffee. Gee whiz, I likemilk, I do--cold, creamy milk!"
"Yeah, an' I like soup, kid. Nice, hot, creamy soup like my aunt makes."
"C'mon, Nickie, let's get eatin' an' get it over with!"
Just as they descended the ladder they heard, far in the east, a lowrumble of thunder. Before they had started to feast on their beans,there was no doubt that a storm was fast approaching. The wind wasrising steadily and the swaying trees made eerie sounds which theycould plainly hear during frequent lapses of conversation.
"Hope it ain't gonna be like the other night," Skippy said earnestly."The room was hot but I shivered just the same. An' then Timmy havin'that dream an' screamin' like he did...."
"Yeah, I was glad I was asleep. Outside this graveyard, there ain'tnothin' gives me the jitters worse'n a bad storm. Holy Smoke, I ain'tmyself then."
There was a terrific clap of thunder and the wind screeched mockinglypast the kitchen windows. A shutter somewhere on the house creakeduneasily on its rusted hinges. The boys put down their coffee cups andlooked at each other.
"Takes a hard storm like this for clearin' the air," said Nickieprofoundly. "My aunt always says that. Remember since the other nightit's been so gloomy--ain't even seen no sun since we been here. Maybeit'll be clear tomorrer."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Anyways, kid, will we beat it right off if we get them bars loosetonight?"
"Sure, if we get 'em loose. But it ain't gonna be so easy, Nickie."
And it wasn't easy--not at all. They took turns at the top bar andafter an hour succeeded in making it yield only a little and on oneside at that. The lantern light was feeble and they dared not use twolamps at a time, for they had made the discovery before climbing to theattic that the oil supply which Frost had left them was too low to beused freely.
The wind screamed around under the eaves and presently blew the rainthrough the open window. Vainly, they tried to close it but having beenin disuse for so many years the frame had warped and Skippy soondecided that it would take a chisel and hammer to get results.
"How about them newspapers in the cellar, kid?" Nickie suggested. "Wecan pin 'em up against there while we work."
"Pin 'em with what? Gee whiz, use your bean."
"Yeah, you're right, kid. We gotta get wet an' like it."
"Not if you wanna quit till tomorrow. An' I don't like to do that,Nickie. Sump'n tells me do what we can tonight."
"Just's you say, kid. I'm gettin' so's I feel you're a reg'larmascot--see? I ain't doin' nothin' without you sayin' it's K. O."
Skippy grinned and took his turn at the window. The thunder was rollingaway into the distance but the heat lightning blazed across the blacksky at frequent intervals. The moaning wind echoed back and forthmournfully and the rain made a hissing noise as it lashed the windowsill.
Fallon had pulled the trunk as near the window as possible. He made adoleful picture sitting there, the lantern held at arm's length so asto give Skippy light. His pale face was in a half-shadow and his narrowshoulders drooped dejectedly. Suddenly he looked up and his black eyeswere questioning.
"Hear a noise, kid?"
Skippy stopped his tugging at the top bar and shook his head. "Whatkinda noise?"
"Like somebuddy runnin'. Maybe I'm crazy--just hearin' things."
"The wind an' the rain, I betcha," Skippy said, getting back to histask. "It'll last all night--I think it's gettin' cooler."
"Yeah, an' you'n me's gettin' wetter. We'll be plenty cool by the timewe get through. Gimme a whack at it now, hah?"
"Wait a minute. I ain't tired yet--it's loosened a little more."
Nickie sighed. "Just on one side yet, hah? Holy smoke, at thatspeed...." Then, suddenly: "Kid, I hear somebuddy! Somebuddy runnin'!"
Before Skippy could answer they were startled by a cry that seemed tocome from the clearing.
"HE JUST STOOD WAITIN' FOR ME TO DROWN!"]