“You’ll see soon enough,” answered Frank. He had no idea of telling their plans.
It was not so easy to build a raft that would hold three as Andy had supposed. But they did manage to get the framework of it together. Then they had to think of a shelter for themselves, and built one near that of the prisoner. They also gathered wood for a campfire and made preparations for supper.
“Am I going to starve?” demanded the man, as they made no effort to loosen his bonds so that he might eat. “I’m thirsty, too.”
“We’ll feed you and give you a drink,” spoke Frank. “We aren’t going to take any more chances.”
And this they did, putting pieces of food in the man’s mouth, and holding up a tin cup for him to drink from.
They divided the night into watches, each taking turns. While one slept the other would sit by the fire to see that the desperate man did not loosen his bonds.
It was Andy’s trick, and he was very tired. In spite of himself his head would nod at times. He even walked up and down to get rid of the sleepy feeling but it came back. As he sat by the fire his head swayed to and fro.
“I’ll just close my eyes for a half minute,” he told himself. “Just for a few seconds. I—I’ll—”
Andy was asleep and in the shelter where the prisoner lay bound there was a movement. Eager and cruel eyes watched the lad on guard. Both Andy and Frank were slumbering now.
“It’s my only chance,” murmured the man as he heard their heavy breathing. “My only chance.” Then he began rolling over and over on the sand, out of his shelter.