a very bad grace.

"That will do," said Harry. "Now I am satisfied."

He felt for his knife, but did not have it with him.

He therefore knelt down, and set to work to untie the knots in the
rope.

He succeeded at last, but not without considerable difficulty and the
expenditure of not a little time. At last he loosened the last knot, and
said:

"Now you are free."

Philip jumped to his feet--for these were the last to be released--with
an exclamation of satisfaction.

"Thank goodness!" he cried; "now I am free, and can leave this miserable
hut!"

He looked up, and his hopefulness was succeeded by quick dismay.

There, in the doorway, scowling at the two boys, was the master of the
cabin.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE ARREST

Philip's face changed suddenly, and he uttered an exclamation of dismay.
He really believed that his life was in danger.

"There he is!" he ejaculated, his eyes nearly starting out of his head.

Harry turned, and his glance, too, fell on the menacing face of the
outlaw. But his face did not reflect the terror so plainly to be seen on
Philip's. It should be remembered, however--for I do not wish to give
our hero more credit than he really deserves for his courage--that he
knew help was near at hand, and Philip didn't.

Ralph Temple didn't speak at first. Then he looked from Philip to Harry,
and demanded, savagely:

"Who released that boy?"

"I did," answered Harry, undaunted.

"How dared you do it!" again demanded Temple, in the same tone.

"I thought he must be uncomfortable."

Temple looked at him as if puzzled to account for his cool courage. It
was evident that here was a boy who would not be easily scared.

"Did you know that I tied him?" asked Temple, fiercely.

"Yes."

"And yet you dared to untie him?"

"Certainly. You had no business to tie him."

"What! you dare say this to my face?"

"Why shouldn't I? What did you tie him for?"

"Didn't he tell you?"

"No."

"Then I will, though it's none of your business. He stole my property."

"Did you do that, Philip?" asked Harry, who was not yet aware of
Temple's suspicion.

"No; I hope to die. I did not!" answered Philip, solemnly.

"What does he say that you stole?" continued Harry.

"He says I stole a tin box, containing some bonds or something."

"I begin to understand," thought Harry. "Philip is suffering for what I
have done. I must free him, if I can.

"Was