He was not prepared to forego these at the will of a parcel of murderous ruffians who chanced to object to the white man's rule.

He had friends, too--friends he could not afford to lose--friends who could not afford to lose him.
Doubtless his murder would be avenged in due course; but--He grimaced wrily to himself in the darkness, and tried once more to ease his cramped limbs.
From outside came the murmur of voices.

He could just see the shoulder of one of his guards at the entrance and the steel glint of a rifle-barrel.

He gazed at the latter hungrily.

Oh, for just a sporting chance--to be free even in the midst of his enemies with that in his hand! A shadow fell across the entrance, and he saw the rifle no more.