seemed to be writhing in agony, his face assumed an expression of fearful rage, and the veins in his forehead swelled almost to bursting, after a time his countenance assumed more its usual expression, and he appeared to have fainted.
Jarrol looked on this scene holding his gun in readiness for action, fearing Bayley might free himself. On seeing his contortions subside, and fearing he might die, he loosened a band which was round his chest.
"Water, water," Bayley moaned; "quick, quick, or I shall die; the water is about a hundred yards to the back of the hut;" this was said in a firmer voice. Jarrol resting his gun against the wall ran off in the direction indicated.
He was no sooner gone than the prisoner rolled himself into the embers of the fire. Not a groan, not even a sigh, escaped him as his bonds were burning and his flesh scorching. The bandages about his legs burst one after the other, but his arms were still bound, when he heard the sound of returning footsteps. By a desperate effort, but in acute agony, he wrenched the neckerchief into pieces. His limbs were unbound, but he stood a pitiable object. He tottered to the door picking up Jarrol's gun on his way thither. There he waited for the return of his would-be betrayer, who rushed into the hut, and the moment he entered, the door was closed. Bayley stood free before him. Both regarded each other in silence for several minutes. "'Tis well for you if you are spending the little time you have to live in prayer," said Bayley, in a quiet voice.
"No! no! don't say that Captain Bayley, I always liked you. I—I—will give you all I have—all—all."
"I shall take all you have."
"You need not use violence, you shall have it all without."
"You are making but a poor use of your time," Bayley replied, "you know what I mean. Pray if you have a prayer to say, for in five minutes your brains will pollute that wall."
