the cars, it won't be far to walk. I'd like to
get hold of a boat, an' then we could run down the stream without much
trouble."

"Why not buy one?"

"After a day or two we'll find out if there is any near. Just now we
must get the camp built, an' then take things comfortable for awhile."

Fred watched Tim's every movement in order to learn where the money
would be hidden; but failed to see any attempt at burying it. The
protuberance just over his breast served to show the treasure was yet
in his possession, and Gus seemed well content it should remain there.

The prisoner was ordered to hew the materials for the camp while the
others put them together, and during this work he contrived to eat the
stolen crackers.

The shelter was a rude affair, hardly more than sufficient to protect
them from the rays of the sun, and when completed all hands lay down to
rest, Fred being bound hand and foot again to prevent any attempt at
escape.

Not until night was the prisoner given food, and then Gus doled out two
crackers, an amount which would have been little more than an
aggravation if he had not previously ministered to his own wants.

During the hours of darkness no watch was kept; but Fred remained awake
nearly all the time, straining his ears in the vain hope that he might
hear something of Bill.

The second and third days were but repetitions of the first, and then it
became necessary to visit the village in order to procure food.

"I'll walk up the stream 'till a place to cross is found," Tim said,
"an' if I don't see a boat before then, will strike out for the town.
Keep your eye on the sneak, an' don't give him a chance to get away."

"Help me fix the ropes around his legs a little tighter, an' I'll answer
for it that he won't go far."

Tim complied with this request, and when Fred was trussed up like a
chicken, he took from his pocket the stolen money.

"It won't do to carry all this, so you'd better take care of it a while.
Ten dollars will be enough for me, even if I should happen to come
across the boat."

Subtracting this amount from the total, he gave the remainder to Gus,
who put it carelessly in his pocket as if accustomed to handling large
sums of money.

Then he started along the bank of the stream, his companion accompanying
him a short distance, and Fred realized that the time had come when he
must make one desperate attempt to take his jailer prisoner.

"Gus has got nearly all the money," h