hew us up."

"We'll leave the fire burning--that will keep 'em away," returned the
bully.

He would say no more, and in a few minutes he and his companions were
gone and the Rover boys were left to themselves.

"Now what?" asked Sam, after all had been silent for at least ten
minutes.

"Don't ask me," replied Tom disconsolately. "We're in a pickle, and no
mistake. Are your hands as tight as ever?"

"Yes, and my wrists hurt so I feel like screaming with pain."

"Baxter is a brute, if ever there was one. However, I think I can get my
left hand free," went on Tom suddenly.

"Good, Tom! Do so by all means."

Tom worked away with vigor. The pain was intense, but he bore it
manfully. At last his hand was free.

"Hurrah! so far so good!" he cried lowly. "Now for the other hand."

But this was not so easy, for the knots were hard ones and broke his
finger nails dread-fully.

"If only I could get at them with my teeth," he observed, "I'd soon chew
them apart."

But he could not bend around, and so had to content himself with
working away as before. Soon his fingers grew numb and he had to desist.

"Too bad, but I can't make it!" he groaned.

"Wait a while and give your fingers a rest," returned Sam.

He had begun work on his own fetters, but try his best could make no
material progress. The ropes had cut through the skin in two places and
from these spots the blood was flowing freely.

Two hours went by, and to the boys it seemed an age. Tom had tried his
best to free himself, and now the cords were gradually loosening up.

"I've got it at last!" he cried presently. "Just wait." And a little
later the bonds dropped to the ground. But the work had caused his
finger tips to bleed.

With his hands free, Tom set to work free his feet, and this was not so
difficult, although it also took time. Both boys were now hungry once
more, and reckoned that it was well past the noon hour.

"I'll set you free, and then we'll look around for something to eat,"
said Tom.

"Hadn't we better get out as soon as we can?" asked his brother.
"Remember, they may come back at any moment, and we are no match for
them."

"It will take but a minute to pick up something, if it's around, Sam.
Besides, we have got to have something in our stomachs before we set
off to hunt up Dick and Mr. Barrow."

As soon as Sam was freed they ran to the outer cave. Here, on some
tree-roots overhead, hung a number of traps, including a knapsack
c