"If he don't give in pretty soon I shall," he muttered to himself as he threw his burden to the ground for the third time.
To his great relief Gus winked violently when Fred pulled the handkerchief down to gain a view of his eyes and the gag was removed without loss of time.
"Will you agree to walk now?" he asked.
"Yes, yes; it wouldn't take a feller long to stifle with that thing in his mouth."
"I don't care what happens so long as I get you to Farley's."
Once more Gus tried to beg off; but Fred would not listen.
"Walk fast," he said, "and if you don't do your best, in goes the gag again."
There was no necessity of emphasizing the demand. The prisoner moved with alacrity; but his captor was by no means certain as to which was the proper course.
Tim had made so many turns in his flight that Fred's ideas regarding the points of the compass were very hazy.
Both the boys were suffering from lack of water, and no halt was made until two or three hours past noon, when they were at the edge of a swamp.