Harry and Jack could not help laughing at this practical argument.
The captain of the bushrangers frowned.
“I am the best judge of that,” he said. “You are lucky to be let off yourself. Don’t meddle with matters that don’t concern you.”
“Take me, if you want to,” said Obed independently. “I shall be lonesome without the boys.”
“You had better go while there is a chance,” said the captain menacingly. “If you give me any more trouble, I will have my men tie you to a tree and leave you here.”
Harry was afraid the threat would be carried out, and begged Obed to make no further intercession.
“I have no doubt we shall meet again,” he said. “These gentlemen will no doubt release us soon.”
He was by no means confident of this, but he thought it politic to take things cheerfully.
“The boy has sense,” said the captain approvingly.
“Well, good-bye, boys,” said Obed, wringing the hands of his two young friends. “I shall feel awfully lonely, that’s a fact, but as you say, we may meet again.”