"Him—him done gwine away."
"Eh, what?"
"De 'Gator done gwine away, sah."
"Not the prisoner? You don't mean he has escaped?"
"Ya-a-a-a."
The guide covered the ground to the tree in long strides. He halted suddenly upon observing the rope lying where it had been thrown. An ugly expression spread slowly over Bill Lilly's face.
"Has his horse been taken?"
"Yes, the horse is gone too," answered Ned Rector.
"Get ready! We must run him down," shouted Billy.
"What is the use? Why not let him go? He has had his lesson," answered Tad.