A yard or two more and he knew absolutely.

He touched the boy on the shoulder, whispered in his ear that it was a friend, and, with one sweep of his knife, released his arms.
"Crawl to the chaparral there," said Ned, in swift sharp tones, pointing the way.

"Another friend is waiting at that point." The boy, without a word, began to creep forward in a stiff and awkward fashion.

Ned turned to the next prisoner.

It was the elderly man whom he had seen from the chaparral, and he was wide awake, staring intently at Ned.
"Is it rescue ?" he whispered.