He felt for his knife, but did not have it with him.
He therefore knelt down, and set to work to untie the knots in the rope.
He succeeded at last, but not without considerable difficulty and the expenditure of not a little time. At last he loosened the last knot, and said:
“Now you are free.”
Philip jumped to his feet—for these were the last to be released—with an exclamation of satisfaction.
“Thank goodness!” he cried; “now I am free, and can leave this miserable hut!”
He looked up, and his hopefulness was succeeded by quick dismay.
There, in the doorway, scowling at the two boys, was the master of the cabin.