'
'So do I,' I said. 'And now don't let's have any more talk; shut
your eyes, and keep quiet till I cough.'
The men were engaged now in talking over the deeds in which they
had been engaged, and so revolting and cold-blooded were the
atrocities of which they boasted that I longed for the time when
Rube and I should fall upon them. In half an hour I gave the
signal. I had picked out a sharp stone in a convenient position,
and it was not a minute before I felt the coil of cords loosen with
a sudden jerk, and knew that I was free. I found my hands were
completely numbed, and it was a long time before I could restore
the circulation. It must have been a good half-hour before Rube
gave the signal that he had got the cords that bound his ankles
loosened, as of course he could not begin at them until he had the
free use of his hands. As I had anticipated, the visits of our
guards were rather less frequent now that they believed us to be
asleep. Fortunately, the din and talk in the next room was now loud
and incessant, which enabled Rube to rub, and even stamp his feet a
little. In half an hour I heard a snore, which I answered. The
moment the next visit was over I crawled to the door, and then,
lying pretty nigh on my stomach, crept round to where the rifles
were piled.
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