She had discovered a sentry money would buy; to lead the others away long enough to effect my escape, Peter had taken to the woods with a gun.

Whether he escaped or was captured, the delay would be short.

With the knowledge came action.

I bore the unresisting Ranger to the floor, hurling down the tray of food he bore in a mass of broken crockery, and bound him hand and foot, leaving the fellow lying across the open doorway.

He was without arms, except his heavy gun, which I left beside him.