The boys were marched a short distance up the deserted street to a disreputable looking shanty. Here they were forced inside and compelled to enter an inner room.
"Doright, get a piece of rope and tie these young fellers."
"Haint got no rope, Boss," announced Doright. "No rope here."
"What'll we tie 'em with?" inquired Lopez.
"Don't know, Boss," replied the darky. "Dey don't need tyin'."
"Oh no, they don't," Lopez replied sarcastically. "They didn't need it up in the woods, neither. That's why they burned my cabin down. Now I haint got no home no more'n a rabbit."
"Haint got no rope, Boss," dolefully declared Doright.
"Here, take this gun while I cut up their snake skin," cried Lopez, turning over to the negro his rifle.
He proceeded to remove from an inner pocket of his jacket the skin of the snake that had so nearly ended the life of Harry. Cutting this into strips he quickly bound the boys' arms and made them sit down on a bench. Next he prepared to leave the room, taking Doright also.
"If you are good boys and don't try to burn this place," he said from the doorway, "I'll bring you something to eat by and by."