"I suppose you brought us here to rob us," said Joe, boldly. "Well, you won't get much out of me, for I haven't much with me."
"I've got forty cents and a broken watch with me," declared Fred.
"We ain't going to rob you, so you needn't git scared," said the big fellow of the party.
"I suppose you brought us here for our health," said Fred, sarcastically. "Very kind of you, I must say."
"If you talk like that, I'll switch you!" came from one of the others.
None of the masked fellows would say more. They busied themselves with making the bonds which tied the boys to the tree roots more secure.
"Now we are going off for a little while," said the big fellow.
"Going to leave us here alone?" queried Joe.
"For awhile, yes."
"It isn't fair. Supposing some wild animal comes this way?"