Fred stood still in perplexity for an instant, and then throwing aside the stick raised Gus in his arms.
It was a heavy burden; but he staggered on with all possible speed.
As soon as Gus began to understand that he might be carried away despite his refusal to walk, he set up a series of the most terrific yells, and Fred was forced to come to a halt.
"I'll soon put an end to that kind of fun," he said, angrily, while whittling a piece of soft wood. "With this in your mouth there won't be much screaming."
Now Gus began to fancy he might be finally beaten, and then tried new tactics.
"See here, all you want is the money, an' now you've got it I'll agree that neither Tim nor me'll chase or try in any way to catch you, if I'm left here. There's no need even to take off the ropes; but let me stay where he'll see me."
Fred shook his head.
"I need you quite as much as I do the money, and I am bound to take you along."
"What good will it do to have me put in jail?"
"It'll be the means of freeing a better fellow than you ever dared to be."