The hobo knew he was caught. Guns had a very persuasive way with George, and he had learned long ago to fight shy of all farmhouses where it was known the owner possessed firearms.
“Don’t shoot, young feller!” he immediately bellowed, with astonishing energy; “I ain’t goin’ ter try an’ git away. Say, I was jest a-wantin’ ter surrender, so’s ter git off’n this island. I ain’t never yet starved ter death, an’ I don’t wanter try the same. I’m a prisoner o’ war, an’ ye wouldn’t be so mean’s as ter pepper a harmless man, I hopes, Boy?”
Bumpus proceeded to advance, all the while keeping that menacing gun leveled. He had had a previous experience in capturing a supposed-to-be desperate rascal, and felt that he must be cautious in how he handled matters.
“Smithy, is there a piece of that rope handy?” he demanded; and the other scout after a hasty look around made an affirmative reply.
“There certainly is, Bumpus, and it seems to be a good strong piece, too,” he went on to say. “Please tell me what you want me to do with it. I know how to tie all sorts of perfectly splendid knots; if only the wretch won’t seize hold of me, and make use of me as a shield. They’re all so very treacherous, you know, Bumpus.”
“Sure, I understand that, Smithy,” he was told, “but I’m up to a trick or two on my own hook. Here, you George, just drop down on your marrow bones—that means get on your knees.”
The tramp looked anything but happy, but when he hesitated Bumpus swung his gun up again, and it could be easily seen that he was ready for business. So George immediately dropped down on his knees, with his hands still raised in a really grotesque fashion above his head.
“Now, I don’t mean to ask you to say your prayers, because I reckon you never learned any,” Bumpus proceeded briskly; “but continue the forward movement. In other words, fall flat on your face, and stretch out there, with your nose rooting in the ground. No back talk now, but do what you’re told!”
George did so. He evidently knew better than to refuse so modest a request, especially while threatened with a load of shot at close quarters.
Then Bumpus advanced close up.