ent young warmint," tied him tightly to the skiff
with the boat-rope--which is commonly called the painter.

Alfy, smarting with the injustice of the attack, managed to administer
a few wholesome kicks to his assailant during the struggle. Then a
long, low whistle sounded, and the man hurried away, leaving the boy
bound and aching in the boat.

The day was now fast wearing on, and the sun was beginning to sink in
the heavens. As Alfy lay back in the boat his mind was racked with
anxiety about the provisions, and his promises to take back food to the
Island House. His sisters and Mansy might starve if he could not get
the provisions to them. Then he shouted aloud to attract attention.

No answer came. His voice seemed borne back upon him as from an empty
void. Again and again he called until he grew weary with shouting, and
sickened with suspense and anxiety and disappointment. He seemed as
far from his kind here as if he were alone in the deserts of Arabia.

Then he bethought him once more of self-help. "I wonder if I could
free myself," he said. "I have got over several difficulties lately,
perhaps I can get over this one also." He struggled upwards to a
sitting position, and looked at his bonds. His wrists and ankles were
tied pretty firmly, and one end of the rope was of course fastened to
the boat.

"I suppose that rascal tied me up like this to give himself time to
escape," said Alfy thoughtfully, as he looked down at the rope. "He
thinks I know a lot about him, and will tell what I know, and he wants
to get a good start. I wonder if I could undo these knots with my
teeth? They crack nuts, why not untie knots? I will try."

[Illustration: "'I WONDER IF I COULD UNDO THESE KNOTS WITH MY TEETH? I
WILL TRY.'"]

Happily his teeth were strong and sharp--teeth which many an older
person would have envied. He was plucky and persevering also, and he
set to work with a will to gnaw, or unfasten, or "worry" open the tough
knots which bound him.

It was a stiff job, and a tiring one too. But he kept on pluckily, and
would not give up. The sun sank lower in the heavens, and the
beautiful summer afternoon wore on. "Oh! how they will wonder what has
become of me at home!" he sighed. "I must be quick," and he redoubled
his efforts.

But he found the task too difficult. The rope was hard and tough, and
time was fast passing. His teeth and jaws quite ached with the
unwonted use to which he was putti