Part 47 (1/2)
The situation was not without its humorous side, it occurred to Alex after his first apprehension had worn off. When a few minutes later the pony broke into a slow canter, and he was forced into an awkward dog-trot, a chuckle broke from him.
The man ahead turned in surprise. ”Well, you're sure a game one,” he observed. ”Imagine it's funny, eh?”
”I was thinking how I would look to some of my friends, if they could see me here,” explained Alex good-naturedly. ”Trotting along like a little dog on a string.”
The cowman pulled up and laughed. ”Youngster, you're all right,” he said heartily. ”I'm sorry you're--that is--”
”On the wrong side?” suggested Alex, smiling.
”Very well. Let it go at that. Look here! If I take that thing off, will you promise to come along, and not play any tricks?”
”Yes, I will,” agreed Alex readily. For he saw there was little chance of making his escape from the horseman on an open plain.
”Hold up your hands, then,” directed the cowboy. Alex complied, and quickly he was free.
”How far are we going?” he asked as they moved on, Alex walking abreast.
”About twenty miles,” replied the cowman.
XXI
TURNING THE TABLES
The moonlight had given place to darkness, and Alex was thoroughly exhausted from his long walk when the fence of a corral, then a group of small buildings, loomed up, and his captor announced that they were at their destination.
”Do you live here all alone?” Alex asked, seeing no lights.
”Since you fellows captured Bucks--yes,” responded the cowboy, halting at the corral bars. Dismounting, he whipped saddle and bridle from the pony as it pa.s.sed inside, and replacing the bars, led the way to the house.
It was a small, meagerly-furnished room that a match, then a lamp, disclosed. Against the rear wall was a small stove, in the center a rough table, at either end a low cot, and in one corner a cupboard. Two or three chairs, some pictures and calendars and two or three saddles completed the contents. The floor was of hard earth.
”That'll be your bunk there,” said the owner, indicating one of the cots.
”And you can turn in just as soon as you like.”
Crossing the room, he stood at the foot of the bed, thinking. ”What's the trouble? It looks comfortable enough,” observed Alex, following.
”I have it,” said the cowman, and going to the saddles, he returned with a coiled lariat. Alex laughed uncomfortably.
”Lie down,” the man directed. ”Or, hold on! Let's see first if you have any knives about you.” Objection would have been fruitless, and Alex of his own accord surrendered his pocket-knife.
”Now lie down.”
With what grace he could, Alex complied. Making a slip-loop in the center of the lariat, the cowman pa.s.sed it over one of the boy's ankles, and made the holding-knot as firm as he could draw it. Then pa.s.sing the two ends of the rope inside one of the lower legs of the cot, he ran them across the room and secured them to his own bed.
”That'll leave you comfortable, and put the knots out of temptation,” he remarked. ”Also, if you start any wriggling this old shake-down of mine will act as watch-dog. It squeaks if you look at it. And I'm a powerful light snoozer, and powerful quick with the gun when it's necessary,” he added, with an emphasis which Alex could not doubt.
Nevertheless, when presently the cowman blew out the light, and retired, Alex only waited until a steady, deep snore announced that the man was asleep. Cautiously he sat up, and reached toward his encircled ankle.
The knots had been secured cleverly and tightly. Pry and pull as he could, they gave no more than if they had been made of wire.