"This is what I call mighty dull sport."

"It ain't very lively, for a fact; but I reckon it's way ahead of what
poor Joe's having."

"If it's so bad now what will it be in another week? I don't think I
can stand it very long."

"There's nothin' to prevent your goin' any time you get ready; but here
I stay for quite a spell."

"What about more liquor an' grub?"

"There won't be any trouble in getting all we want as long as the money
holds out."

"And by fall you'll have bark on your back."

"Better that than a striped coat. It isn't so bad as you make out,
though. We can move our camp whenever we feel like a change, an' then
there's plenty of fishin' an' sich like that the swells call sport."

Sam's only reply was another prolonged yawn as he stretched himself out
at full length, and Bob replenished the fire without moving from his
seat.

Jet understood that it was time for them to take their departure.

When the men got ready to turn in for the night, one or the other might
take a fancy to have a look around to make sure they had no unwelcome
visitors, in which case the spies would be discovered.

Motioning Jim to follow his example, he started toward the shore,
moving at a snail's pace to prevent a noisy disturbance among the
foliage, and not until they were in the boat once more paddling toward
the opposite bank did he feel at liberty to draw a long breath.

Arriving at the point from which they started, Jim insisted on carrying
the boat to the clump of cedars, and this required so much time and
labor that it was nearly midnight before they could seek the
well-earned rest.

Even then Jet took pity on the prisoner, and removed the gag
sufficiently long to give him food and water, the small guide standing
over him with the cocked revolver, lest he should make an outcry.

"What are you boys countin' on doin' with me?" he asked, when his
hunger and thirst had been appeased.

"Deliver you to the officers in a day or two."

"Am I to be kept trussed up in this fashion until then?"

"It's pretty rough, I know; but there's no other way out of it. You'd
treat us the same or worse if the tables were turned, and we're bound
to take care of ourselves."

"I don't reckon it would do any good if I was to swear I wouldn't so
much as yip?"

"Not a bit, for we shouldn't dare run the risk you would break your
word."

The prisoner had nothing more to say; but obligingly held his mouth
open so that Jet migh