"Here I am," was the reply, and in a few minutes more he came face to face with his chum. Fred was bound hands and feet, and although he had tried to liberate himself he had found the task hopeless.
"When did you get around, Joe?"
"Not a great while ago."
"Weren't you tied up?"
"Yes, but I managed to loosen myself. Wait till I cut those ropes." And getting out his knife Joe set his chum free immediately.
"Say, but I feel rank," came from the stout youth. "They drugged us for fair, didn't they?"
"They certainly did, Fred. I wonder what has become of them?"
"I don't know. When I woke up I was all alone and I've been alone ever since."
"Let me cut you a stick." Joe did so. "Now then, if they attack us again there is going to be fun, eh?"
"Right you are. I'd take great pleasure in laying out the fellow who put us to sleep. What do you make the time to be?"