There was no necessity of emphasizing the demand. The prisoner moved
with alacrity; but his captor was by no means certain as to which was
the proper course.

Tim had made so many turns in his flight that Fred's ideas regarding the
points of the compass were very hazy.

Both the boys were suffering from lack of water, and no halt was made
until two or three hours past noon, when they were at the edge of a
swamp.

Quenching their thirst with the ill-tasting liquid, they lay down on the
ground to rest, and did not continue their journey for some time.

"Why not stay here all night?" Gus asked.

"Because we haven't traveled far enough yet."

"But I can't hold out much longer, no matter how hard I try."

"You'll have to go as far as I do."

"Wait till mornin', an' then I'll walk twice as fast to make up for the
time spent now."

"We must get in another hour's tramp before sunset," Fred replied,
determinedly, and although Gus pleaded very hard the decision was not
changed.

But little was accomplished during the last portion of the traveling.
Both were thoroughly tired, and when the shadows of night shrouded the
recesses of the forest in gloom the welcome word was given.

"Here's a little stream, and we'd better stop here, there's a chance for
a drink."

"It's about time," Gus added, sulkily as he threw himself on the ground.

Fred divided half of the food into two portions; but did not dare to
loosen the prisoner's arms sufficiently to admit of his eating unaided.

"I'll feed you first, and then take my share," he said, and Gus devoured
the food ravenously, after which he quenched his thirst, when Fred bound
him securely to a tree.

The prisoner slept soundly; but to his captor the night was the longest
he had ever known. He did not dare give himself wholly up to slumber
lest Tim should be on their track, and attempt to effect a rescue, while
the fear that the money might be lost, this time beyond recovery,
rendered him very nervous.

"It's going to be tough lines before we get to Farley's," he said to
himself; "but I ought to hold out if for no other reason than to clear
Sam beyond a doubt."

When the morning finally came Fred fed Gus again; both took large drinks
of water, and their journey was resumed.

Now Gus neither begged nor made comments. He marched just ahead of his
captor in a sullen manner, as if having decided upon a certain course of
action, and Fred remained continually on the alert