And now, cautious as an instant before we had been reckless, we set about trussing him up in such fashion as would prevent his moving hand or foot, and even while this was being done, there came to me the question of what would be the next move. We had come there to aid Abel Grant, but now were we hampered with a prisoner whom, whatever peril should arise, we dared not set free, and at the same time would not murder in cold blood even though he so richly deserved such a fate. It was a venture born of passion, although I afterward strove to excuse myself by saying that we were literally forced into acting as we did otherwise he would have discovered us, and now must we pay the penalty of failing to rule our spirits. If through this mad act of ours Seth Hartley was captured and hanged, or if it should be learned that a movement was on foot to release Abel Grant, then was the blood of both these men on our heads, and in my heart I cursed the miserable cur who had so far tempted me that I forgot everything save desire for revenge. It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by, knee-deep in the mud, turning all these things over in my mind, for there was much to be done if we would rectify the mistake, which is a mild term for our act. As I have said, Sam had on the spur of the moment thrust a double handful of leaves into Luther’s mouth, which was forced open by our hold on his throat, and it only remained for us to so fetter his limbs that he would be powerless to flounder about in the hope of attracting the attention of his friends. It goes without saying that we had nothing with us in the shape of a rope, but I, to make atonement for what just then seemed little less than a crime, pulled off my shirt, baring my body to the mosquitoes, and tore the garment into strips. With these we bound the lad whom we had taken prisoner for a third time, so securely that I question if he could have moved hand or foot even the fraction of an inch in either direction. The sleeves of Abraham’s shirt served for a more secure gag then that of leaves, and when all this had been done we lifted the Tory from out his muddy bed on to the frail platform of bushes, where he lay with the slime forming as it were a shroud about him. When he was thus secured and in position, a single glance at the cur’s face was sufficient to tell how severe had been the punishment we inflicted, for if ever I saw abject terror in the eyes of any human being, it was reflected from his. I have no question but that the miserable whelp believed we would kill him off hand, as indeed we had the right to do if one thinks of the provocation, and the benefit which his death would be to the Cause.