In spite of my anxiety about my fate, I could not help feeling
interested in these people, for everything was so new and strange. But
other thoughts soon forced themselves upon me. They must, I felt, be
going on to the settlement, and it was my duty at any cost to get away,
and give the alarm. But how?

"Pomp," I said, after a time, "do you think we could get loose and run
back home?"

The boy looked at me with his face screwed up.

"Pomp done know," he said.

"Could you get the knots undone?"

"Pomp 'fraid try. Come and hit um. Going to kill us, Mass' George?"

"Oh, no; I don't think there's any fear of that."

"Then why they tie us up?"

"Don't talk so loud. It makes them look round."

"Look dah!"

"What at?"

"Dah de gun. Dat big ugly Injum got um. Him fief."

"Never mind the gun," I said. "Let's think about getting away."

"Yes; dat's what Pomp do fink about, Mass' George."

"If they had not taken our knives, I might perhaps have cut ourselves
free. Oh, I'd give anything to let them know at home. Look here; if
you can get loose, never mind about me; run back home, and warn my
father to escape to the settlement."

"You tell um," said Pomp, shortly.

"But I mean if you can get free without me."

"What, you fink Pomp run 'way and leab Mass' George all 'lone?"

"Yes; it is to save those at home."

"Capen flog um for going."

"No, no; he would not."

"Fader knock um down an' kick um."

"I tell you he would not. Try all you can to get loose and creep away
when they are not looking."

"Always looking," said Pomp, shortly; and it was quite true, for some
one or other of the Indians always seemed to be on the watch, and after
trying to wrench myself clear, I stood resting my aching legs by hanging
a little on the rope, for the hours were slowly gliding by, and
afternoon came without relief.

At last a couple of the men brought us some water and a piece each of
badly-roasted and burned deer-flesh, setting our hands at liberty so
that we could eat and drink, but leaving the hide ropes holding us
tightly to the trees, and sitting down to watch us, listening intently
as we spoke, but evidently not understanding a word.

"Well," I said, after a few minutes, during which I had been eating with
very poor appetite, "why don't you eat, Pomp?"

"Done like um. 'Mell nasty."

"It's only burnt," I said.

"How Mass' George know what um eat?"

"What?" I said, looking curiously at the mea