Without waiting for a reply Isaac began stripping the garment into narrow bands, by aid of his teeth, and the noise caused Master Wentworth to half rise as he cried:
“Hey! White! Jones!”
“Stay where you are!” Nathan shouted. “We’ve got all the muskets, and are in the mood to shoot if you make any trouble. It won’t go much against the grain to put a couple of bullets into the two who wanted to leave us trussed up in the thicket, where we would starve to death!”
Master Wentworth sank back upon the ground very quickly, and at the same instant must have discovered that his ammunition 220 had not been seized, for he cried to his companions:
“They can’t prime the muskets, and it is the same——”
“You’ll know whether we can or not if you make any move! Don’t think we were such fools as to forget that part of the business! I’ve got all the powder and balls that’ll be needed to give you three a solid dose. Tie Master Wentworth’s hands behind his back, Isaac, and if he so much as winks while you are doing it I’ll quiet him. Lie down!” he added fiercely as in the dim light he saw one of the others attempting to rise. “If you make any fuss we’ll shoot first an’ talk afterward!”
It was more than probable one of the men might, because of the darkness, have gotten off without injury; but each knew that should such an attempt be made Nathan 221 could shoot down perhaps two of the party, and each probably feared it might be himself who would receive the bullet.
Therefore it was that they obeyed young Beman’s orders strictly, and as soon as might be Master Wentworth was lying on his face with both hands tied securely behind his back.
To fetter the others in the same fashion was neither a long nor a difficult task, because, like the bullies they were, both showed the white feather when danger threatened their precious selves, and no more than fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time Nathan first set about making the attempt at escape before the prisoners were powerless for harm.
With their hands thus securely lashed behind them, it was impossible for the men to rise without assistance, and while Nathan 222 stood with the musket raised that he might shoot at the first show of resistance, Isaac helped the prisoners to their feet.