I found that keeping still was the best method of baffling our pursuers, since they had evidently lost sight of us. I heard their voices, but the sound receded, and it was plain that they were moving toward the lake.
CHAPTER VII.
WADDIE AND I.
As nearly as I could judge in our place of concealment, the big fellow, who was the leading spirit of the conspirators, had been careful to keep the inside line of retreat from the tar-kettle to the boat. Of course, he expected us to retire in that direction; but when we distanced him in the chase he had moved directly to the water-side, while I had swept around in a much larger circle. As soon as he lost sight of us in the thick undergrowth, which had only been cut away on a few acres composing the picnic-grounds, he had made the shortest line for the boats.
“Where is your boat, Wolf?” asked Waddie, who was actually trembling with apprehension, though I could not blame him for being alarmed, since the villains were still on his track, and still intent upon subjecting him to the degrading ordeal.
“It lies about a quarter of a mile below yours, at the wharf,” I replied to my trembling companion.
“What shall we do?”
“We must keep still for a little while, till we see a good chance to reach the boat.”
“I am cold, Wolf,” said he.
Perhaps he offered this as an explanation of his shaking condition; but, although the weather was pleasant for the season, it was still chilly enough to render thick clothing quite comfortable. Above his boots the poor fellow had on nothing but his shirt and pants, and the former had been torn half-off by the wretches who persecuted him. I took off the heavy jacket I wore, and gave it to him.
“You will be cold yourself, Wolf,” said he, with a degree of consideration of which I did not believe him capable.