Though Harry was not a vindictive boy, it did strike him as appropriate that Philip should have a chance to see for himself how it seemed to be bound. Deferring the gratification of his curiosity, he inquired: “How do you like it?” “How do I like it?” echoed Philip, furiously. “Don’t ask such absurd questions, but come and untie me.” “Wait a minute,” said Harry. “Perhaps you have forgotten that this is the way you and Congreve served me only last night. I suppose you thought it a good joke. Well, Ralph Temple has played the same joke on you.” “Joke!” repeated Philip. “He’ll find out what kind of a joke it is when my father has him put in jail.” “Do you think he deserves to be put in jail just for that?” “Yes, I do.” “Then it seems to me that you and your friend Congreve deserve the same punishment for what you did to me.” “It’s entirely different; but stop talking and come and untie me.” “You didn’t untie me. You left me to pass the night in the forest alone.” Philip eyed Harry attentively, and it struck him that perhaps it would be better to drop his haughty and domineering tone and temporize a little, if he wanted a rescue. He could afterward treat Harry as he pleased. “I didn’t think you’d make so much of a little matter like that,” he said. “It was a mistake. I didn’t mean you to stay all night. Congreve promised to go back and untie you. Didn’t he do it?” “No,” answered Harry, dryly. “Then he broke his promise. Just untie me, that’s a good fellow, and I’ll make it up to you. I’ve got two dollars in my pocket, and you may have them if you’ll get me out of this scrape. Be quick, for Temple may be coming back, and he may kill us both.” “I don’t want your two dollars, Philip,” said Harry. “I am ready to release you without that——” “Quick, then; that’s a good fellow.” “Hear me out. I was going to say, on one condition.” “What is it?” asked Philip, impatiently. “That you will beg my pardon for the trick you played on me,” said Harry, quietly. “What! I beg your pardon?” exclaimed Philip, haughtily. “That is what I said.” “Do you think I would demean myself by asking anybody’s pardon?” demanded Philip, his pride getting the better of his prudence. “That is exactly what I expect, Philip Ross. If I had played such a mean trick on any one, I should think it no more than right to do just that thing.” “No,” said Philip, stubbornly; “I won’t do that, but I will give you the two dollars.” “I don’t want your two dollars,” returned Harry, contemptuously. Two dollars was not so large a sum in his eyes as it would have been the day previous, for in the last twenty-four hours he had earned, and was confident of receiving, a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars. Still, even if this had not been the case, he would have disdained to sell his assistance to Philip. “The money will do you a great deal more good than my asking your pardon,” argued Philip.