"You ain't gettin' it half as bad as you deserve, an' it'd be a good idea to keep your mouth shut."
As during the first portion of the journey, Gus amused himself by prodding the prisoner with a stick, but as the day lengthened and Tim refused to halt, the boy grew too weary to indulge in such pleasantries.
In order that Fred might carry all the burden, it was necessary to unloosen both his hands, and, without being observed by his companions, he contrived to transfer several crackers from the bag to his pocket.
The second stage of the journey lasted nearly two hours, and then Tim decided the camp should be erected on the bank of a small stream.
They were now, according to Fred's belief, not more than twenty miles from Blacktown, and a trifle less than that distance from Farley's.
As far away as the eye could reach was a town, but no one knew its name.
"We might have stayed nearer home if the camp is to be made so close to a settlement," Gus said fretfully.
"While we keep out of sight nobody'll know we're here, an' in case we want to leave suddenly on the cars, it won't be far to walk. I'd like to get hold of a boat, an' then we could run down the stream without much trouble."
"Why not buy one?"
"After a day or two we'll find out if there is any near. Just now we must get the camp built, an' then take things comfortable for awhile."