Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/329

 With repeated strokes Stanley severed the cord and then rolled rapidly to Bub’s feet.

“Can’t you loose your hands?” whispered Bub.

Without replying Stanley brought his back against Bub’s legs and began cutting the rope.

“Freeing my feet won’t free my hands,” reminded Bub, his eyes now fixed in the direction taken by their captors.

“Shut up!” muttered Stanley. “Hold still!”

“You’re cutting my leg,” timidly informed Bub.

Stanley made no response but increased his frantic movements. At last Bub announced “My feet are free. What next?”

“Curl them around me and help me to my feet,” panted Stanley. “I can’t reach the cord around my own feet and I can’t get to your arms unless you help me up.”

Bub caught his idea instantly and after several trials aided Stanley to a standing position. Leaning back against Bub, Stanley then felt blindly for the cord holding the hands imprisoned behind the tree trunk and sawed for his life.

An occasional groan warned him he was nipping the flesh, but without halting he continued. It was sweet music in his ears as Bub