nfasten these handcuffs, and I'll guarantee to give you that
amount within the next three days."

"More likely you'd give me a clip over the head. But even if I was
certain of having the money, you couldn't get away, so walk on briskly
and don't let me hear you speak again."

Joe glanced savagely around at the boy, and there was that in his face
which told what desperate chances he would take in order to effect his
escape.

"He's studying mischief," Jet said to himself, "and I've got to look
sharp, or find myself in the soup as I was this morning."

At the best it was a difficult task to walk at any degree of speed
through the woods; but the labor was more than doubled by having a
prisoner over whom it was necessary to keep the strictest watch.

CHAPTER XV

ASSISTANCE

During the first hour Jet thought it would be impossible for him to
hold out to reach the town; but the knowledge of what the result would
be, not only to himself, but to those whom he had left behind, enabled
him to battle against the fatigue which threatened to overpower him.

Not a word had been spoken since Joe made the proposition to purchase
his liberty, until fully an hour passed, and then he said in a meek
tone:

"Don't you think it is about time to take a rest? I'm pretty nigh
played out."

Jet was only too willing to do so, and said:

"Sit down at the foot of that tree; I'll stay in the rear as Mr. Harvey
advised."

"What damage do you think I could do with my arms handcuffed behind me?"

"That is exactly what I don't know, and shall take good care you
haven't a chance to show me."

"I don't deny that I would run a good many risks rather than be taken
to jail; but at the same time I'm not such a fool as to kick when there
isn't the least show of getting the upper hands."

"You are wasting your breath talking to me in that manner, for I intend
to follow Mr. Harvey's advice to the letter."

Joe's face was contorted with a grimace of rage as Jet thus showed that
it would be impossible to wheedle him into carelessness, and, suddenly
changing his tone, he said, angrily:

"You don't have any idea of the trap you're running into. There's more
belonging to our gang than that fool detective fancies, and the minute
we show up in town you'll be marked."

"That won't hurt I reckon."

"It will be enough to cause your death."

"Then I'm to be murdered, eh?"

"That is exactly what will happen when any of our crowd get the c