and he shook with very fear, but to his inexpressible relief one of the
men said that they had agreed to let him return home—they did not want his
family to suffer for them. They then asked him his name and postal
address, which they carefully noted down, repeating their former promise
of a handsome present if they got safely off, and if he kept his faith
with them.
One of the men asked if they could not get to the river from where they
were by leaving the timber and crossing the level open flat, and if they
could not swim the river easily. To which Dunning replied that they would
be discovered almost immediately if they attempted to leave the woods,
advising them to keep under cover as much as they could. With this they
released his arms and set him free, they the while seating themselves upon
the ground and watching him till he got out of sight. He at once ran home,
and after getting his breakfast, he crossed over from his house to the
residence of Mr. Shaubut, and told him the whole story.