As he touched the ground, two shadows sped out from the shelter of the cabin wall and pounced upon him.

Men who can rope, throw and tie a wild steer in thirty seconds flat do not waste time in trussing operations, and before a minute had elapsed he was being carried into the woods, bound and helpless.

Lanky sighed, threw the rope over one shoulder and departed after his friends.
When Mr.Trendley came to his senses he found himself bound to a tree in the grove near the horses.

A man sat on a stump not far from him, three others were seated around a small fire some distance to the north, and four others, one of whom carried a rope, made their way into the brush.
He strained at his bonds, decided that the effort was useless and watched the man on the stump, who struck a match and lit a pipe.

The prisoner watched the light flicker up and go out and there was left in his mind a picture that he could never forget.