Dick did not get to sleep. In fact, he began trying to get his hands free, for he was eager to make his escape and go on his way to carry the news to General Greene.
Gurley had tied his wrists so securely he could not get them free, however, and finally the youth gave up the attempt, and eventually slept.
Next morning Gurley cooked some corn cakes and potatoes for breakfast, and after he had eaten, he untied Dick’s wrists and gave him some of the food. Then he bound the youth’s wrists again, but not so tightly as before, for the reason that Dick held his wrists in such a manner that he could move them into a different position and the rope would be loosened somewhat.
An hour or so later Gurley said he was going away, and did not know how long he would be gone. “As I can’t fasten the door,” he went on, “I will tie yer feet, an’ then ye won’t be able to git away while I’m gone.”
He got another piece of rope and bound Dick’s ankles, and then took his departure.
As soon as he was sure that Gurley was gone, Dick began working at the rope binding his wrists. If he could get his wrists free, the rope about his ankles could be quickly loosened.
He worked hard at the rope binding his wrists, but was unable to make much headway. The knots were tight, and the rope would not stretch. He kept at it, however, and was pulling and tugging at a great rate, when there was a thump against the door, and it flew open and into the room came a huge timber wolf.
At sight of the animal, Dick’s heart sank, and a feeling akin to fear took hold upon him. It was not pleasant to be lying there, bound hand and foot, and a huge, hungry wolf sniffing about within a few feet of him.
Dick guessed that the wolf had been attracted by the smell of the food Gurley had cooked for breakfast, and that the animal was hungry was evident by the way it nosed around for edibles, and snapped up several small scraps of food that had fallen on the floor.
Then, presently the wolf approached the bunk, in which Dick was lying, and sniffed at him. Dick lay absolutely still, till he felt the animal’s nose against his leg, and then, fearing he might be bitten, he gave his leg a jerk, and yelled at the wolf: “Get out of here! Go away!”