“Not yet.”

“Why not?” demanded Abner, facing about.

“Because I can’t spare you yet.”

“What right have you to interfere with my movements?” said Abner.

“None, perhaps; but I will inquire into that afterward.  It is enough that, for the present, you must stay here.”

“I shall do no such thing,” said Abner, and he again turned to go.

Ralph deliberately lifted his weapon, and took aim.

“What do you say now?” he asked.

“Surely, you will not fire at me,” said Abner, turning pale.

“Not if you remain where you are.”

“How long do you mean to keep me?” demanded Abner, sullenly.

“As long as may be necessary.  That is all.  Herbert, go into the cabin and look in one corner for a cord.”

Herbert soon returned with a stout cord, tough and strong.

“What are you going to do with that?” asked Abner suspiciously.

I’m going to bind you,” said Ralph, coolly.

“I’ll have the law on you for this,” said Abner, hoarsely.

“All in good time,” said Ralph.  “But I advise you to consider whether the law has nothing to say against attempted murder.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean that you attempted to murder this boy, and would have done so, in all probability, if I had not interfered.  When I am arrested, I shall feel it my duty to make this known to the authorities.”

Abner was silent.  He felt that Ralph’s testimony would have an ugly look.

“Let me go,” he said, after a pause.  “You needn’t be afraid of my troubling either of you.  Don’t tie me.”

“Abner Holden,” said Ralph, “I know you, and I know you are not to be trusted.  I have resolved to help this boy to escape from you, and I mean to do it effectually.  For this purpose, I must subject you to temporary inconvenience.  I advise you not to resist.”

He had already tied the hands of Abner Holden, who, as he looked into the fearless, resolute face of the Ranger, felt that it would not do to resist.  It chafed him most to think that Herbert, his bound boy, should be a witness of his humiliation, and he scowled savagely at our hero.  But Herbert showed no triumph.  His was a brave and generous nature, and had it rested with him, he would have let Mr. Holden go, but he did not think it best to interfere.

Ralph quickly tied both hands and feet, and then took the helpless body of Abner into the cabin, where he placed him in one corner.

“Are you thirsty?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Abner, sullenly.

Ralph placed a cup of water to his lips.  He also placed a loaf of bread beside him, which, though his hands were tied at the wrist, he would still be able to reach, and then beckoned to Herbert.

“Come,” he said, “it is time that we were going.”

Abner gnashed his teeth with anger, as he watched them issue from the cabin together, and felt how utterly helpless he was to prevent them.