THE two prisoners had been made to sit down, and were under constant surveillance. It would not have been possible for them to make any move looking to escape without being immediately detected. Dick realized the foolishness of such an attempt, and made no effort for the time being. Those eyes of his noted everything that was going on around him, for he knew the time was approaching when utter darkness would come, and, if they expected to make a move, memory must take the place of sight. Just as Roger had been hoping, the Indians cooked some of the venison, though in a primitive fashion. Numerous pieces, as they were sliced from the haunch, were impaled on the ends of long slivers of wood, and the latter thrust into the earth in such fashion that the meat received the full heat of the little fire. Of course, when cooked it was also partly burned, but this made no difference to any one who was really hungry. The two boys were glad to receive their share of the venison, and devoured it eagerly. "Of course they'll tie us up, as Indians always do their prisoners, Dick?" suggested Roger, while they were still munching at the food provided by their captors. "There's no doubt about that," the other told him. "Already I have noticed one of the warriors looking over some long deerskin thongs, and then glancing in our direction. I think they are only waiting until we get through eating." "Then for one I mean to keep at it as long as I can," affirmed Roger; "because I never did like the idea of being tied to a tree. I suppose that is what they mean to do with us, Dick." "We'll soon know, Roger, and, now that I have the chance, I want to tell you about the little scheme I have in my mind." "I wish you would!" hastily exclaimed the other; "and I hope it will turn out to be a success." "You may remember," began Dick, "that I have hands that somehow I can double up into a very small compass. Many a time you've tried to fasten my wrists together to see if I could get my hands free, and in nearly every case I did the trick by stretching the thongs a little, and then slipping a hand out." "Oh! now I begin to see what you hope to do, Dick; and, let me tell you, the skies look brighter already. I'm sure you can set your hands free, if only it doesn't stop at that." "One step at a time, Roger; we mustn't expect to run before we can walk. Once my hands are loose, it will be a queer thing if in some way I fail to set both of us free. But here comes several of the Indians this way, as though they mean to trice us up. Better hurry and eat that last bit of meat, if you wouldn't lose it." "I suppose I'd better," grumbled Roger, "but I don't see why they want to be in such a dreadful hurry about tying us up. Ugh! a whole night of standing against a tree is something I don't like at all."