voice in a deep growl.

Cameron put his guns down.

"Stand up!" said the voice.

Cameron obeyed. Out from behind the Indian with the leveled rifle glided
another Indian form. It was Copperhead. Two more Indians appeared with
him. All thought of resistance passed from Cameron's mind. It would mean
instant death, and, what to Cameron was worse than death, the certain
failure of his plans. While he lived he still had hope. Besides, there
would be the Police next day.

With savage, cruel haste Copperhead bound his hands behind his back and
as a further precaution threw a cord about his neck.

"Come!" he said, giving the cord a quick jerk.

"Copperhead," said Cameron through his clenched teeth, "you will one day
wish you had never done this thing."

"No speak!" said Copperhead gruffly, jerking the cord so heavily as
almost to throw Cameron off his feet.

Through the night Cameron stumbled on with his captors, Copperhead in
front and the others following. Half dead with sleeplessness and blind
with rage he walked on as if in a hideous nightmare, mechanically
watching the feet of the Indian immediately in front of him and thus
saving himself many a cruel fall and a more cruel jerking of the cord
about his neck, for such was Copperhead's method of lifting him to his
feet when he fell. It seemed to him as if the night would never pass or
the journey end.

At length the throbbing of the Indian drum fell upon his ears. It was to
him a welcome sound. Nothing could be much more agonizing than what he
was at present enduring. As they approached the Indian camp one of his
captors raised a wild, wailing cry which resounded through the forest
with an unearthly sound. Never had such a cry fallen upon Cameron's
ears. It was the old-time cry of the Indian warriors announcing that
they were returning in triumph bringing their captives with them.
The drum-beat ceased. Again the cry was raised, when from the Indian
encampment came in reply a chorus of similar cries followed by a rush
of braves to meet the approaching warriors and to welcome them and their
captives.

With loud and discordant exultation straight into the circle of the
firelight cast from many fires Copperhead and his companions marched
their captive. On every side naked painted Indians to the number of
several score crowded in tumultuous uproar. Not for many years had these
Indians witnessed their ancient and joyous sport of baiting a prisoner.

As Cameron came in