Part 48 (1/2)
During this last operation, the prisoner struggled most desperately, for Jim's revolver had been lowered in order that he might a.s.sist his companion, and before the boys finally got him under subjection they were reeking with perspiration, in addition to being nearly tired out.
”Well,” Jim said, triumphantly, as he rose to his feet, ”that part of the work was done as slick as grease, and at this rate it won't take us long to wind the whole gang up.”
”I'm afraid the hardest job is ahead,” Jet replied, as a most unaccountable fit of gloominess came over him. ”You know the other makes the third one, and superst.i.tious people believe a fellow always comes to grief on that number.”
CHAPTER XXIX
BOB
When Bob was fettered beyond his power to make any resistance he relapsed into a sullen silence, which troubled Jet more than reproaches or threats would have done.
He had expected to be overwhelmed with curses, and fancied the man would rave and struggle uselessly until he was completely worn out; but such was not the fact.
It was much as if Bob had suddenly conceived the idea of reserving his strength until the time should come when he could use it with effect.
He lay silent and motionless on the ground, and when Jet had prepared a gag he was even so complaisant as to open his mouth to receive it.
”S'posen we let up on his legs a little so's he can walk down to the sh.o.r.e,” Jim suggested. ”He's goin' to make a big load if we try to carry him.”
This seemed to be a very good idea, and Jet acted upon it at once, saying to the prisoner:
”If you'll come along quietly we'll treat you the best we can under the circ.u.mstances.”
Bob did not move.
”Get up,” Jet said, in a louder tone, as if believing his first remark was not understood.
Bob shook his head, and there was no mistaking the look on his face as he did so.
He had no intention of aiding his captors in any manner, and if they claimed him as prisoner they must take him by sheer expenditure of strength or not at all.
”There's no use spending time trying to coax or drive him,” Jet said, after a long pause. ”If he won't walk we've got to carry him, and that's the end of it.”
Jim, who had been examining the shanty while resting after the battle, discovered a hammock tucked away in one corner, and he proposed that this should be used as a litter, for the man could be conveyed more easily on something than if the boys raised him simply by the head and feet.
”Roll him in here, and we'll run this pole through the ends so all the weight will be on our shoulders.”
This was done at once, and although the prisoner was bent nearly double when the density of the foliage forced the bearers to approach each other closely, the labor of removing him to the boat was greatly lessened.
”There's no chance Sam will be back until late in the night,” Jet said, as Bob was deposited in the bottom of the craft with no gentle force, ”so we can move about without fear of being discovered, and you might give us a hot dinner.”
”We'll take our ease this day, an' that'll put us in better shape for tackling the other feller to-night. If he helps himself to the liquor as he comes down the lake we may have our hands full.”
”That's what I'm afraid of,” Jet replied, gloomily, and then, recovering himself as with an effort, he added: ”There's no use borrowing trouble, however, and we should be mighty thankful we've succeeded so well in getting two of them.”
”You can bet I am thankful,” Jim replied, with such emphasis that Jet could not prevent himself from laughing heartily.
By this time Bob had been carried to the cedar thicket, and an expression of surprise came over his face as he saw the first prisoner; but Jet did not intend to allow them an opportunity to communicate with each other even by signs.