Part 16 (2/2)

This argument seemed to appeal to his companions, and the murmuring ceased.

Walter decided that he had heard enough, and turning, started to retrace his way back to the canoe. His second movement forward, however, was his undoing. A large limb upon which he had trusted his weight broke noisily under him, and he was precipitated forward into a huge clump of briars. Before he could regain his feet, strong hands seized him and dragged him, still vainly struggling, out into the clearing.

”One of 'em,” cried the leader triumphantly, ”I reckon the rest ain't far off. Scatter and search the point for 'em, boys,--but wait a bit, maybe this young cub can save us trouble.”

But Walter had been thinking rapidly. If he was to save his chum it was no time for nice scruples. With a silent prayer for forgiveness, he waited the outlaws' questions.

The leader drew a revolver, c.o.c.ked it, and presented it at the lad's head. ”You can tell me the truth now or I'll blow your head off,” he growled.

Walter's face took on an expression of fear and cringing terror far greater than he was really feeling. The brutal ruffian eyed this appearance of fear with every evidence of satisfaction. ”Now I guess you'll answer my questions truthfully,” he said threateningly. ”First, where are your companions?”

”They left us in the darkness and we could not catch up with them.

They must be way up the river by now,” Walter stammered.

His questioner swore loudly. ”Got past us, did they? Well, no matter, we'll get them easily now, we know for sure which stream they took.”

Walter could hardly conceal his delight at having put the ruffian upon a false trail, but he was ready for the next question, which came quickly.

”How did you get here?”

”The canoe struck a log, capsized, and sank. I swam ash.o.r.e.”

”What became of the fellow in the boat with you?”

”Drowned, I guess,” said Walter with a sob.

The leader turned to the others. ”I reckon he's too scairt to be lying,” he said, ”however, you had better take a look around the point.

Be quick about it, though, for we will have to hurry to catch up with those other chaps. Here, tie this fellow up before you go.”

Walter was seized, his hands tied behind him, and he was lashed with his back to a small satinwood tree.

He watched the departure of the ruffians with sinking heart. If they searched thoroughly, Charley and the canoe were sure to be discovered.

The outlaws soon returned, however, after a very careless search and reported nothing in sight. Truth to tell, tired as they were, they had quickly wearied of trying to force their way through the dense jungle.

After a hasty breakfast, the leader gave the order to mount. ”You two stay here and wait for Injin Charley,” he commanded, indicating two of the gang. ”We have got to let him know what we've learned. I reckon we'll be back by night, if we ain't, you follow us in the morning.”

”What shall we do with the kid?” inquired one of the men.

”Turn him over to Injin Charley when he comes in. I reckon he'll know what to do with him,” said the leader with a grin so evil and suggestive that it made the helpless lad's blood run cold.

The four outlaws and their leader mounted their ponies and soon were lost to sight among the trees. The two left behind proceeded to make themselves comfortable without a thought for the exhausted lad whose tight bonds cut cruelly into arms and legs. They raked up beds of leaves upon which they spread their blankets and then proceeded to make up for the sleep they had lost during the night.

Walter was not only suffering much physically, but was in great mental distress as well. He feared that at any moment Charley, alarmed by his long absence, might call or fire off one of the guns and bring the outlaws to his hiding-place. How could he warn him of the danger he was in? Suddenly the bound lad was seized by an ingenious idea.

a.s.suring himself by their deep breathing, that his captors were fast asleep, he began to whistle, softly at first, then gradually louder and louder till the weird, mournful strains of the ”Funeral March” filled the air.

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