In a few moments they heard someone approaching, and King threw open the door. “Here’s your friend,” he whispered, and thrust someone in. Bewilderment spread over the faces of the boys.
It was not Dick who entered the cabin, but Art Howells!
CHAPTER XVII
A GOOD DEED REWARDED
The dumbfounded boys could only stare at Howells.
“Where did you come from and where is Dick?” cried Garry, when he had recovered his voice sufficiently to speak.
“If you will untie my hands first, I will feel better and be able to think. My wrists are all raw from trying to work the ropes off, but the man that tied me up knew his business too well,” said Howells.
Since the boys’ belongings had been restored them by King, they had their knives, and it was a small matter to cut the bonds.
“Now what do you mean by Dick being with me?” asked Howells.
“Why, Dick has been a prisoner at the camp, and we were given to understand that he was to be brought here to join us. We were prisoners here ourselves; fell into a foolish trap because we were too sure of ourselves. Fortunately, because of a good turn that we were able to do, we have been set free by the squatter chief,” answered Garry.
“What do you mean free, with an armed guard outside the door?” demanded Art. “I should say you were pretty closely kept in confinement.”