CHAPTER XXVI
TURNING THE TABLES
The constant straining caused Fred to perspire freely, and after manyvain efforts he succeeded in catching the rope which was around hiswrists, under the point of a projecting limb of the tree.
Now he had a purchase, and by a mighty effort at the moment when Gusmade a more than usually vicious lunge, slipped one of his hands fromthe bonds, thanks to the perspiration which moistened the strands.
He did not take immediate advantage of his freedom. It was essential toawait a favorable opportunity, and this came when Gus knelt before himfor the purpose of pricking the apparently helpless boy with the bladeof his knife.
Fred could not arise; but he flung both arms around his tormentor'sneck, hugging him so close as to prevent the latter from using hishands.
For an instant his surprise was so great that he remained motionless;but before Fred could take any advantage of his inactivity Gus recoveredfrom the shock to exert all his strength, and began to free himself.
Under ordinary circumstances Fred would have been no match for hiscaptor; but now the knowledge of what was to be gained lent him greatenergy, and he clung to him with desperation.
"Let go, or I'll stab you with this knife," Gus shouted; but Fred wastoo careful of his wind to make any reply.
Over and over they rolled, one trying to use his weapon, while the otherdid his best to prevent it, and but for an accident the battle mighthave been continued until the smaller boy was exhausted.
It was not possible to control the direction of their bodies, andsuddenly both were precipitated into the stream.
Fred was a good swimmer, while his adversary knew but little of the art,and he succeeded in holding Gus' head under water until he was nearlystrangled.
The tables were now turned.
It only remained for Fred to drag the half-unconscious boy to the shore,and there transfer the rope from one pair of legs to the other.
When Gus again had a clear idea of matters he was securely tied, andFred had put into his own pocket the package of money which Sam wasaccused of stealing.
To pack in small compass the remaining store of provisions, cut a stoutstick, and place the hatchet in a belt improvised from a piece of therope, occupied but a few moments, and then Fred said, sternly:
"I'm going to slacken up on your legs a bit, so's you can walk, and nowit's your turn to step out lively."
"When Tim comes back you shall pay for this."
"I intend to be a long distance from here before that time arrives."
"He can catch you."
"To do it he'll have to be smarter than I think he is."
"Wait an' see."
"That's just what I don't propose doin'. I understand your purpose now;you're trying to keep me here as long as possible. Get up."
"I won't an' you can't make me."
Fred struck the prisoner several severe blows; but he did not so much ascry out.
"I'll beat you black and blue, if you don't stand up and walk."
"Pound away, I can bear a good deal of that rather than go to jail."
Again Fred used the stick; but in vain. Gus shut his teeth firmly, andtook the punishment with a stoicism worthy a better cause.
It was important that no time should be lost. Tim might find a boat andreturn to the camp before going to the town.
Fred stood still in perplexity for an instant, and then throwing asidethe stick raised Gus in his arms.
It was a heavy burden; but he staggered on with all possible speed.
As soon as Gus began to understand that he might be carried awaydespite his refusal to walk, he set up a series of the most terrificyells, and Fred was forced to come to a halt.
"I'll soon put an end to that kind of fun," he said, angrily, whilewhittling a piece of soft wood. "With this in your mouth there won't bemuch screaming."
Now Gus began to fancy he might be finally beaten, and then tried newtactics.
"See here, all you want is the money, an' now you've got it I'll agreethat neither Tim nor me'll chase or try in any way to catch you, if I'mleft here. There's no need even to take off the ropes; but let me staywhere he'll see me."
Fred shook his head.
"I need you quite as much as I do the money, and I am bound to take youalong."
"What good will it do to have me put in jail?"
"It'll be the means of freeing a better fellow than you ever dared tobe."
"I'll kill you some day."
"Possibly, but that don't let you out of this scrape."
By this time Fred had the gag ready, and a stout pressure on theprisoner's cheeks caused him to open his mouth.
The wood was thrust between Gus' teeth, and Fred tied his handkerchiefover it to prevent it from slipping.
"Now when you're willing to walk I'll take that out," he said. "Once inevery few minutes, when we have to stop to rest I'll look at your eyes.If you wink, it means you're ready to do as I say."
Gus glared at him savagely; but was careful to keep his eyes wide open.
Again Fred shouldered his burden, realizing, meanwhile that he couldnever reach Farley's if his prisoner remained obstinate.
When an hundred yards had been traversed he was forced to rest.
Gus' eyes stared at him.
A second and a third time was this repeated. At each interval thedistance was shorter, and Fred knew he could not travel much farther.
"If he don't give in pretty soon I shall," he muttered to himself as hethrew his burden to the ground for the third time.
To his great relief Gus winked violently when Fred pulled thehandkerchief down to gain a view of his eyes and the gag was removedwithout loss of time.
"Will you agree to walk now?" he asked.
"Yes, yes; it wouldn't take a feller long to stifle with that thing inhis mouth."
"I don't care what happens so long as I get you to Farley's."
Once more Gus tried to beg off; but Fred would not listen.
"Walk fast," he said, "and if you don't do your best, in goes the gagagain."
There was no necessity of emphasizing the demand. The prisoner movedwith alacrity; but his captor was by no means certain as to which wasthe proper course.
Tim had made so many turns in his flight that Fred's ideas regarding thepoints of the compass were very hazy.
Both the boys were suffering from lack of water, and no halt was madeuntil two or three hours past noon, when they were at the edge of aswamp.
Quenching their thirst with the ill-tasting liquid, they lay down on theground to rest, and did not continue their journey for some time.
"Why not stay here all night?" Gus asked.
"Because we haven't traveled far enough yet."
"But I can't hold out much longer, no matter how hard I try."
"You'll have to go as far as I do."
"Wait till mornin', an' then I'll walk twice as fast to make up for thetime spent now."
"We must get in another hour's tramp before sunset," Fred replied,determinedly, and although Gus pleaded very hard the decision was notchanged.
But little was accomplished during the last portion of the traveling.Both were thoroughly tired, and when the shadows of night shrouded therecesses of the forest in gloom the welcome word was given.
"Here's a little stream, and we'd better stop here, there's a chance fora drink."
"It's about time," Gus added, sulkily as he threw himself on the ground.
Fred divided half of the food into two portions; but did not dare toloosen the prisoner's arms sufficiently to admit of his eating unaided.
"I'll feed you first, and then take my share," he said, and Gus devouredthe food ravenously, after which he quenched his thirst, when Fred boundhim securely to a tree.
The prisoner slept soundly; but to his captor the night was the longesthe had ever known. He did not dare give himself wholly up to slumberlest Tim should be on their track, and attempt to effect a rescue, whilethe fear that the money migh
t be lost, this time beyond recovery,rendered him very nervous.
"It's going to be tough lines before we get to Farley's," he said tohimself; "but I ought to hold out if for no other reason than to clearSam beyond a doubt."
When the morning finally came Fred fed Gus again; both took large drinksof water, and their journey was resumed.
Now Gus neither begged nor made comments. He marched just ahead of hiscaptor in a sullen manner, as if having decided upon a certain course ofaction, and Fred remained continually on the alert, fearing lest hemeditated an attack.
At noon the two halted, and while eating the last of the provisions,knowing that after this they must go hungry until arriving at asettlement, Fred fancied he heard a noise as of someone approaching.
His first thought was that Tim had succeeded in following their trail,and he hurriedly made ready a gag to prevent an alarm from being given.
Gus heard the same noise, and before Fred could prevent him he began toshout loudly for help.
It was several seconds before the outcries could be checked, and thenthe mischief had been done.
The noise of a heavy body forcing its way through the underbrush soundedmore clearly, and Fred sprang to his feet, hatchet in hand, ready todefend himself to the utmost.
Gus looked triumphant, and again shouted loudly; but the expression ofhis eye was changed to despair as the stranger burst through thefoliage.
"Why Joe! Joe!" Fred cried, as he leaped forward and caught Brace by thehands. "How did you happen to get here just when you were most needed?"
"I reckon I'd gone right past without knowin' you was anywhere near, ifit hadn't been for your wild yells."
"It was Gus who did that," Fred replied, glancing with a smile towardthe discomfited prisoner. "He thought as I did, that it was Tim."
"Do you mean his partner?"
"Yes."
"Have you got the best of both?"
In the fewest words possible Fred explained how the capture had beenmade, and Joe actually leaped for joy when the stolen money wasdisplayed.