Page:Hendryx--Connie Morgan with the Mounted.djvu/181

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The Prisoner
163

"Don't worry! Your gang is prob'ly rounded up by this time."

"And B Division will get the credit!"

"Too bad!"

"You said the boys never would get through kidding you, if you turned me loose—I tell you, it won't be a patching to the way they'll kid you, when they find you've held me prisoner."

Connie interrupted with a laugh. "You're some bluffer, old hand. But, even if you are telling the truth, I guess the kidding will be the other way around—'specially, if B Division makes those arrests. What '11 your report look like?"

The man was plainly annoyed. "Once for all, I order you to release me!"

"And once for all, I order you to shut up! I don't take orders from my prisoners. And, besides, prisoners do the work in my camp. You were kicking about hanging around with nothing to do. Get busy, now, and cook dinner! Here, you!" he called to the other man, "make you a wedge, and unravel these old socks, and pound the yarn into the cracks of that scow till she's tight. Come on, kiddies," he smiled at the two youngsters, "I guess you're my prisoners, too. I'll show you