Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/305

 cruel gag and wholly unable to speak, was Bub, tears of rage filling his eyes as he beheld his unsuspecting companion walking into the trap.

With a low cry Stanley turned to escape into the woods, but was tripped up by a villainous looking man, who laughed harshly as he made sure of his second victim.

In a few minutes Stanley found himself tied to a tree near Bub, only he was not gagged. As he looked about he beheld two other men lounging on the ground, but rejoiced to observe no signs of Big Nick.

“Take that gag out of my friend’s mouth,” were the first words he uttered.

“Sort of use to giving orders, eh?” grinned the man who had tripped him.

“Let the cub have a free breath,” advised one of the men on the ground. “Besides, we shall want them to talk pretty soon.”

“You miserable cowards to abuse him so,” raged Stanley.

“Shut up!” warned the first speaker, slapping him across the mouth. Then, adding a curse, he said, “He wouldn’t promise not to give you warning. Pretty soon he may refuse to give us some information, but he’ll be glad to. So will you.”

“You can strike me, because I am helpless,”