in such a way that it was impossible for him to utter the slightest
sound.

Across the flat in the shallow quarry he was thrown to the ground, and
for a moment he caught a glimp of his captor in the darkness, a
powerfully built man, wearing a viator cap that covered the whole of his
face and head, with the exception of the eyes.

'Let one yelp out o' you an' I'll crush yer head with a rock!' whispered
the man ferociously.

Dick was blindfolded and gagged, and his arms and legs were tied with
rope, his enemy kneeling on him the while and hurting him badly in his
brutal haste.

The boy was caught up again and thrown on the man's shoulder, and the
journey was continued at a trot. He knew when the bush was reached,
because here a fence had to be climbed. He tried to understand what this
adventure might mean, but his thoughts were all confused and the gag made
breathing so difficult that once or twice he feared he was going to die.

When at last the man stopped and Dick was dropped to the ground, they had
travelled about a mile and a half into the bush. He heard the sound of
timbers being moved, and presently was caught up again; after much
fumbling and an oath or two from his companion the latter withdrew his
support, and Dick felt himself to be dangling in the air from the rope
that tied his limbs. Now the bandage was pulled from his eyes, and the
boy, after staring about through the starlit night for a few moments,
terrified and amazed, began to realise his position.