After a struggle that lasted for a quarter of an hour or more, and nearly wore the skin from my wrists, I ceased, and gave myself up to bitter reflection.
I wondered if Ford was on his way back to the island, and if he had the police with him. It was hardly possible, yet I trusted that such was the case.
Then I thought of what the three men might say when they found the Catch Me gone. Would they have any other means of leaving Rock Island? I fervently hoped not.
Presently, as much to keep my courage up as anything else, I began to yell at the top of my voice. There was no reply; and finally I was compelled to cease out of pure weariness.
After the lantern had disappeared from my sight, the darkness was at first intense, and I could not see the thicket that I knew was but ten feet ahead of me.
But as my eyes grew more accustomed to the place, I gradually found that by straining my sight I could see a short distance to the front. I was so tightly bound, that to view the situation in any other direction was utterly impossible.
The tree to which I was fastened was a tall and stately elm. It was fully a foot and a half in diameter, and as firm as the rocks that surrounded it.
As I have said, a thicket was directly ahead; what was behind me I did not know, saving the rocks that I had endeavored to scale.
I realized that I was in a bad fix indeed. How long would I have to remain in this position? Would the morning bring a change, or would I be compelled to remain tied to the tree until hunger and thirst had done their work and life had gone out of me?