Crossing the room, he stood at the foot of the bed, thinking. “What’s the trouble? It looks comfortable enough,” observed Alex, following.
“I have it,” said the cowman, and going to the saddles, he returned with a coiled lariat. Alex laughed uncomfortably.
“Lie down,” the man directed. “Or, hold on! Let’s see first if you have any knives about you.” Objection would have been fruitless, and Alex of his own accord surrendered his pocket-knife.
“Now lie down.”
With what grace he could, Alex complied. Making a slip-loop in the center of the lariat, the cowman passed it over one of the boy’s ankles, and made the holding-knot as firm as he could draw it. Then passing the two ends of the rope inside one of the lower legs of the cot, he ran them across the room and secured them to his own bed.
“That’ll leave you comfortable, and put the knots out of temptation,” he remarked. “Also, if you start any wriggling this old shake-down of mine will act as watch-dog. It squeaks if you look at it. And I’m a powerful light snoozer, and powerful quick with the gun when it’s necessary,” he added, with an emphasis which Alex could not doubt.
Nevertheless, when presently the cowman blew out the light, and retired, Alex only waited until a steady, deep snore announced that the man was asleep. Cautiously he sat up, and reached toward his encircled ankle.
The knots had been secured cleverly and tightly. Pry and pull as he could, they gave no more than if they had been made of wire.
Working lower, Alex sought to reach the cot leg, to see whether it was fixed to the floor. With some difficulty, because of the sitting position made necessary, he was straining toward it, when suddenly the bound foot lunged from him, the rope tightened, and from the cot opposite came a squeak. The snoring instantly ceased, and Alex sat motionless, holding his breath. The ominous silence continued, and finally he lay back with a movement as though turning in his sleep.
Minute after minute passed, and still the breathing of the man across the room did not resume.