push them together they would blaze and give
out warmth.

Then, suddenly, an idea flashed into Jamie's brain. Those red ends of
the log would burn the string that bound him, and he could free
himself if he could only reach them and press the string against them.

His movements in turning over had not disturbed his captors. They were
still sleeping profoundly. From the condition of the fire it was
evident they had been sitting by it the greater part of the night and
had replenished it at a late hour, else all the coals would have been
dead.

Hank lay at the opposite end of the lean-to from Jamie, and Bill in
the centre, with their feet toward the fire. Jamie was lying at the
back, his head near Bill's head and his feet toward the end of the
lean-to farthest from Hank.

For several minutes Jamie studied the position of each and the
possibilities of working his way out of the lean-to without awakening
the men. Finally he determined to make an attempt to gain his freedom.

Cautiously and as noiselessly as possible he began to wriggle away,
inch by inch, from Bill, and toward the fire. Several times he fancied
the men moved restlessly in their sleep, but when he looked toward
them they appeared to be still sleeping heavily. On each occasion,
however, he lay still until he became wholly satisfied that he had
been mistaken and that they had not been disturbed.

Little by little he edged away until at length he was well outside the
lean-to. His efforts were painful and slow, but in the course of half
an hour he was near enough to the end of the log to touch it with his
bound feet. His exertions had set his blood in motion and inspired him
with hope of success.

With much care and patience he pushed the stick until he was able to
rest the string, where it crossed between his ankles, upon the glowing
end. Drawing his feet as far apart as possible, with all the strength
he possessed, he was quickly rewarded by feeling a relaxation, and in
a moment his heart leaped with joy. The string was severed.

Squirming around upon his chest, Jamie arose to a kneeling position,
and then stood erect. So far as his legs were concerned he was free.

Jamie's first impulse was to run wildly away, but he restrained
himself. Standing over the men he looked down upon them. Neither had
moved, and to all appearances they were sleeping as soundly as ever.

"I'm thinkin' now I'll try to burn off the string on my hands too," he
decided. "'Twil