They met with no further
opposition while mounting to the roof, and once there, they
located the scuttle leading into the next house. Fortunately this
was not fastened, those in the house probably having left it
unlocked with the idea in mind of facilitating their own escape.
As Frank Sheldon deduced, they had not considered the possibility
of an attack from above.
Opening the trap door, the four friends descended the short length
of ladder that led perpendicularly downward. So far they had heard
no sound to apprise them of the presence of a lurking enemy, and
they began to think that possibly the house was deserted. Then
stopping and listening intently, they heard the muffled sound of
voices, apparently coming from the floor below.
Here was something of a problem presented to the boys, for they
had no orders, nor indeed, desire, to molest those peaceably
inclined, and were only after revolutionists and rioters who were
doing the sniping work. But their doubts were soon set at rest.
From the front of the house came the sharp sound of rifle firing,
and the boys hastened in that direction.
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