"I said you was rushing too fast. Now, how are we to get inside?"
"Go over the wood-pile on this side."
"They'll shoot, not knowing who we are."
"Whistle twice while you are in the woods, and wait for an answer before coming out of cover. That was the signal agreed upon."
"Then, you young cub, I reckon we are through with you," and as the man spoke, he clasped Jet tightly around the waist, while his companion clapped his hand over the boy's mouth.
Jet was taken so completely by surprise that he did not struggle for an instant, and then the humiliating truth began to dawn upon him.
"Where is the rope you brought to tie him with?" the man who was holding Jet asked, and after a moment's pause the other said with a curse:
"It has slipped out of my pocket while we were coming through the woods. Now, what shall we do?"
"You can manage to spoil a good thing quicker than any fellow I ever knew. Why didn't you look out for it?"
"Because I didn't," was the surly reply. "If I'd had my way, these fools would have been left to take care of themselves."