“Hib! Come here.”
Hib Milden went out. And pretty soon he called to a fourth one and the fourth one to a fifth. I began to wonder, in mounting uneasiness, what was happening out there where they were.
Leaving the seventh member of the gang on guard over me, Bid himself took a look outside to learn what had attracted his companions from the cave, one after another. And pretty soon he called out:
“Hey, Tom! Come here.”
I was now left all alone in the cave. Two—three minutes passed as I struggled with my bonds. Then a chuckle penetrated my anxious ears. It was Peg! [[221]]
“Hi, Jerry,” old hefty grinned, coming into the cave. Whipping out his pocketknife he cut my bonds.
I got quickly to my feet.
“The Strickers are outside!” I cried in warning, expecting any moment to have the enemy rush into the cave.
Peg gave an easy laugh.
“Sure thing the Strickers are outside. Red and I have been having the fun of our lives roping and gagging them, one after another. Crickets, Jerry, I wish you could have been in on it! Red called them out and I took them in hand and held them while he put on the ropes and gags. Teamwork, eh?”