The men, whose ankle bonds had been removed, were returned to the other side of the camp and, with their hands untied, were permitted to eat under the watchful eyes of Dick and Art. Then once more they were tied up.
Meantime, Mr. Hampton turned eagerly to Bob, as soon as the trio of prisoners was out of hearing.
“Out with it, Bob,” he said. “I can see you’re dying to tell us. Must be important.”
“It is,” said Bob, emphatically.
“What did he say?”
“Mr. Hampton, you think we’re alone in this wilderness except for Lupo’s gang?”
“I don’t know who else would be here. This is country that white men never get into.”
“Well, Thorwaldsson, Farrell and three followers of their party of ten are not more than two hundred miles away; perhaps less than that.”
“What! Say that again.”
Mr. Hampton was so excited he almost dropped his portion of fish into the fire.