“I’ll go along with you, Billy,” Hugh told him. “First of all, tell me, did you get a chance to speak with the boy?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t say much, because the crowd’s big and sales whopping, so it kept Cale busy. Then the man looked like he could eat me alive, every time he saw me. He must guess we’re on his trail, and mean to get the boy away from his evil influence. Why, he even shook his head at me once, and scowled just like a pirate. He shows his white teeth when he does that, and it makes you shiver, you just can’t help it, Hugh!”
“You told Cale the scouts wanted to help him, did you, Billy?”
“Yes, that’s about the size of it, Hugh.”
“How did he seem to take it?”
“I thought at first he seemed pleased; but then that old frown came back on his face again, and he shook his head. ‘I’d like to, ever so much, tell your friends,’ he went on to say, Hugh, and in such a wistful tone, too, it’d have made you feel sorry for him like it did me, if you heard him, ‘but it just can’t be. He’s got me tied down fast, hand and foot. I don’t dare call my soul my own. When I want to turn and run I feel something grip me that makes me go back to him. I hate him like I would a spider or a snake, but I ain’t my own boss, and I can’t ever hope to run away from him!’ Hugh, I told you how it was; that man has control over his mind.”
“We’ll soon find that out,” said the scout master.
“Yes, for there’s Cale now, leaning against that post again; and see how black and hopeless his face looks, Hugh! I certainly want to do something to help him give that man the slip!”
CHAPTER XI.
BACKED BY THE SCOUTS.
“We’ll stop here a bit, and try to catch his eye,” said Hugh.