But Tom did not think that Joe had the stubbornness or the courage, whichever it might be called, to run the risk of dodging the bullet.

He foresaw, too, that, if Joe gave himself up, his hiding place would be exposed, and the soldier would have two prisoners to conduct back to his officer, instead of one.

It was therefore high time for him to do something for his own protection, if not for that of his host.
The necessity of defending himself, or of doing something to cover his retreat in an emergency, had been anticipated by Tom, and he had made such preparations as the circumstances would admit.

His first suggestion was to dart his bayonet down at the rebel soldier, as he had seen the fishermen of Pinchbrook harpoon a horse mackerel; but the chances of hitting the mark were too uncertain to permit him to risk the loss of his only weapon, and he rejected the plan.

He adopted the method, however, in a modified, form, deciding to use the material of which the chimney was constructed, instead of the bayonet.