Death most awful confronted them.
There seemed no power at hand to save them. That the brigand chief would execute his threat there was no doubt.
Harding was not a coward, but he was the more disposed to yield to fate than Frank Reade, Jr.
The young inventor was constantly on the lookout for some way out of the dilemma. He quickly hit an idea.
“Harding!” he said, suddenly, in a hoarse whisper.
“Well?” retorted the other.
“Will you follow my directions?”
“What are they?”
“I have worked upon my bonds until I have loosened them. How are yours?”
“There is no show of their loosening.”