Wednesday, April 17th 2002 - 01:48:07 AM
The New Guys - Part 4
Our two teams would start from opposite ends of the wood, but as it was a "free for all" there would be little to gain from disappearing into a hide out for a long period. We would need to reconnoitre the whole area for the enemy, taking as many prisoners as possible along the way. Our patrol huts were our respective headquarters but unusually, we had no designated safe areas. This meant that we were liable to attack anywhere in the game area. Robert had decided it would be a waste of resources to mount a guard over our base and consequently we moved out after distributing pistols, rope and cloth for gags to each of our team.
On the far side of the woods we split up after a final brief discussion. We all intended, first, to get ourselves secreted in our chosen spots, then survey the terrain and ultimately move out to attempt to make contact with the enemy without ourselves being discovered. Before parting Robert reminded us there were additional supplies in the hut but that there might be risks in going there. He said he would do his best to check out the enemy lair in an hour or so and suggested we all might consider doing the same in case they were holding prisoners there later in the game. With that cheerful thought we split up!
I was still concerned for Duncan's glasses but when I questioned him he told me he had a case for them in his pocket. He assured me that in the event of his being caught he would ask his captors to put them away for him. As our rules virtually precluded any real rough housing he should be safe enough. Satisfied, I lead my two noviciates away quickly and quietly some distance to where there was a ditch quite grown over by a thicket of shrubs and small trees. We could shelter there, concealed from prying eyes while keeping a large area under observation.
A few minutes later I was leading the team into what appeared to be a tunnel beneath the greenery. My friends gasped appreciatively once they were under cover. I gasped too - recent rain had left deep yellow mud just inside the entrance. Realising it too late, I crawled straight in to it! The twins following behind were more fortunate. I was able to wipe the mud off my hands on some grass but they giggled at the sight of my now mud smeared and bespattered shorts. Ian couldn't resist commenting, "You see the benefit of shorts like ours now. All we have to do is wipe any dirt off when it's dry!" I looked back at the speaker in a derisory fashion but privately I was beginning to think he might have a point! But he hadn't finished; looking earnestly at me he added, "We won't be teased for being turned out like this, will we?" I suddenly realised they were both actually more sensitive than they liked to appear but I put their minds at rest. I took a long, cool look at these two rather pleasant, freckle-faced boys in their somewhat outlandish attire. Something was worrying me but I couldn't put my finger on it.
We settled comfortably into our hide and stretched out. It would be impossible for the enemy to get near us unobserved while, at the same time we were completely hidden from the outside. After a few minutes, Ian asked, "Is it true, all the things we have been hearing about that have been done to you?"
I giggled and thought for a moment before replying, "Depends what you've heard, but yes, probably! There's not much point in anyone embroidering the tales but no one has ever hurt me, apart from that incident at school, which really you shouldn't have heard about! And to tell the truth, I have brought a lot of it upon my self, either by my behaviour or my refusal to co-operate with the enemy! I suppose you know that I share this reputation with James?" The others nodded sagely so I continued, "Nevertheless, there is no reason why we shouldn't win. Although our team is basically younger we are all much better stalkers, and last summer we beat the older boys hollow, which resulted in Mike being held hostage all night and my brother Chris receiving the punishment that was long overdue!"
The twins both laughed but I felt it only fair to remind them of the danger they were in. Mike definitely knew about their regular engagements with Scott and it was clear from his comments that he intended to do something about it. While we were thus engaged in conversation we suddenly heard movements not far away. We immediately stopped our chatter, peering out to see what would transpire.
After a few moments, David and Mark appeared a little way away, creeping through the bushes making use of every available piece of cover. Despite their slow progress they at last passed the entrance to our lair and slowly continued their way. This was our chance. Rather than give our position away by us all pursuing them, I signalled the twins to stay where they were and crept through the ditch (once more covering myself with mud). My prey had not moved far and heard nothing. Removing my water pistol from the waistband of my shorts I took careful aim and the first the newcomers knew of my presence was the feel of water on their backs. Whirling round we found ourselves face to face but it was already too late for them. I ordered them to stand still and raise their hands, which they did after a moment's consideration. Pulling the bushes back I invited them to join my pals in our "den".
The twins were ecstatic. Completely concealed, they were able to observe the whole proceedings and were delighted to have made a capture so early in the game. My prisoners were forced to their knees and while I took care of David, the other two looked after Mark. Taking the rope our captives had in their pockets each boy's hands were tied tightly behind his back, his wrists crossed, the rope looped round both horizontally and vertically before being firmly cinched off and knotted well out of reach of searching fingers. I inspected my friends' handiwork but I needn't have bothered - I had already seen what they were capable of and Mark's hands had been tied tightly and competently. Both boys struggled for a few moments but gave it up almost immediately as a lost cause. Two rags were produced, balled up and stuffed unceremoniously into the prisoner's mouths - they made no attempt to resist - and a moment later the gags had been completed with a second cloth forced between their teeth and tied at the back of their necks.
"Are we going to interrogate them?" Duncan asked eagerly. I thought for a moment and said, "Probably not much point at this stage. If they all split up as we did they won't have much information and the sound of their suffering is only likely to attract unwelcome attention. We'll keep them here for the time being. Tie their feet and hog-tie them". Mark and David were pushed forward roughly onto their faces and Duncan and Ian set to with a will. The prisoners didn't resist although David twisted his head round to glare up at me reproachfully over his gag (we were after all fellow patrol members and would normally have been in the same team!), and a few moments sufficed to render them completely helpless. The hog-ties had been applied so tightly their fingers were brushing their heels - there didn't appear to be much I could teach this pair!
Richard
UK
Wednesday, April 17th 2002 - 01:49:23 AM
The New Guys - Part 5
Things were definitely looking up. We were not yet an hour into the game and here were two valuable prisoners lying bound and helpless at our feet. We had a further discussion and decided that, as the odds had moved significantly in our favour we would move our prisoners to our base where we had better facilities for providing hospitality (better supplies of rope!). First I offered to go out and make a quick sweep of the immediate area to ensure we would be safe in the open. Ian however proposed that he and his brother should do this. "We can go in opposite directions and cover twice the area almost twice as fast," he added persuasively, and so it was decided. The boys crept silently out and I was left to guard our two captives. They both seized the opportunity to squirm violently in their bonds - clearly they thought that if they could free themselves they would be able to overpower me. In this they would have been quite correct but their efforts were useless. I gave Mark a playful jab in the ribs with my foot and suggested they both lay still. "If you continue to struggle like that you'll make your arms very sore and there really is no chance of your escaping without assistance!"
I had been concentrating on these two and therefore didn't hear the foliage move as someone entered the end of the ditch behind me. A voice behind me said, "You are so right!" and I whirled round to find myself face to face with Scott, a grin from ear to ear splitting his face. My pistol was tucked safely into the top of my shorts and there was no point in reaching for it. I was staring into the newcomer's levelled weapon and would have stood no chance. I expected him to tie me up immediately, but instead he ordered me to untie David. I freed him from the hog-tie and somewhat reluctantly unfastened his hands. He rubbed his wrists briefly then removed his own gag even as I was loosing his feet. With his mouth free he turned to me and said, "You are so dead, squirt!" He looked towards Scott and said, "Leave this one to me!"
Scott didn't argue but turned to the remaining prisoner, and began first to remove his gag before dealing with the hog-tie. Meanwhile, David had spun me around, pulled my hands behind my back and was lashing them tightly, palm to palm. A gag followed and then I was pushed to the ground before my ankles were tied. While he worked, he told Scott that his brothers were expected to return in a few minutes. Scott looked up with an evil grin and said, "Listen, I have a plan." He turned to Mark whose ankles were still tied although his hands were by now free and said, "Sorry but you will have to remain tied up for a little while." Mark began to protest but Scott continued, "When they return they will be expecting to find two prisoners. We will leave Richard in David's place and retie your hands and it should give us time to trap them both here." Mark thought for a moment, then grinned and without another word put his hands behind his back. Scott tied his wrists again, then rolled him over and placed him in a loose hog-tie. Finally, he replaced the boy's gag.
Meanwhile David, as good as his word, was getting his revenge on me. He placed a noose around my elbows, then drew it tighter and tighter until my elbows were touching, then he wrapped more loops around my arms, cinched it off and knotted it. Finally he pushed my feet up over my butt and tied my wrists and ankles together. I was unable to move. Scott looked across at me, gasped and said, "Will he be alright like that?"
"Sure!" David replied. "He's keen on gymnastics and the most flexible guy in the troop." I silently cursed him for passing that information on. "We had better be quick; the other two could be back any minute." They dragged me into position alongside Mark and quickly left us, to take up position concealed in the undergrowth near the entrance.
It was a strange feeling to be lying bound, alongside one of the enemy! I turned my head to look at Mark and he gave me an evil grin behind his gag. I struggled frantically but fruitlessly. With my elbows tied tightly together behind my back my hands were useless, even without the lashing round my wrists. The strict hog-tie further reduced my mobility and I writhed and fumed, knowing that in a few minutes my friends would walk into a trap which I was powerless to prevent. Mark watched me with an amused expression on his face. Although his gag had been replaced loosely and was probably ineffective, his hands had been retied properly. Nevertheless, he lay quite still, watching my hopeless bid for freedom, in the certain knowledge that in a few minutes he would be free and gloating over not one but three trussed victims.
We hadn't long to wait. In a few minutes a rustling announced the arrival of one of the twins. Moments later I heard whispers and realised his brother must have joined him. Watching the entrance I saw the two boys climb into the leafy half-light of the ditch. They looked at the bound forms without noticing that one had changed and I heard one of them say, "That's odd - where has Richard gone?" A closer examination would have provided them with an answer but they had no time for this as I saw a shadowy form appear silently behind them and David's voice say softly, "That's far enough - stay exactly where you are and raise your hands above your heads." The twins glanced at one another, whipped their water pistols out and whirled around to face their aggressor. It was a foolish move - wet patches were spreading across their shoulders before they had even spotted David. "Sorry lads," he chortled. "By the rules of the game you are both prisoners. Put your weapons down and then raise your hands as I asked you!"
Duncan and Ian reluctantly accepted defeat and carefully complied with his request. As they did so, their brother crept into the lair. The look of shock that passed across their faces was worth seeing. "Hello, little brothers, " he laughed gleefully, "It's pay back time!" Again the younger boys looked at one another and then Ian asked, "But where is Richard?" David invited them to turn around, their hands still above their heads and at last realisation dawned - they looked open mouthed at me while I grinned up at them behind my gag. David was talking again. He pushed Ian forwards towards Mark and said, "Untie him!" The younger boy looked at the unwavering water pistol and realised he had no choice. David then spoke to Scott; "I'll cover that one," - indicating Ian - "While you tie the other one's hands". Scott stepped up behind his brother, at the same time ordering him to lower his hands. As he did so, Scott seized his wrists, pulling them behind his back. He pulled out a length of rope but before he was able to begin I heard Duncan whisper, "You won't hurt us, will you?" The older boy looked shocked, and replied, "No of course not, but don't expect any favours either!" The prisoner relaxed, looking relieved and within a few moments his hands were tightly lashed together, palm to palm, as mine were.
Meanwhile, Ian was reluctantly taking care of Mark. Working slowly he untied the rope holding the boy's hands and feet together and even as he did so, Mark pushed his gag out of his mouth with his tongue. Ian next turned to Mark's ankles, quite clearly deliberately leaving the hands till last, but as he did so, Mark said, "That's quite alright - take as long as you like. You're not going anywhere!" He looked down at me and grinned, "It's been fun Richard but I'm sorry, I have to go now. I guess you will be hanging around a little longer!" Ian finished his task and free at last, Mark rubbed his wrists for a few moments. Then David addressed Ian roughly, "Right you, over hear, turn round and put your hands behind your back!" Scott stepped forward and delightedly dealt with his other brother in exactly the same way as the first. With their hands tied behind their backs - a whole new experience for both boys - the twins looked at one another rather crestfallen but said nothing.
With all three of us satisfactorily restrained, I was relieved to be released from the hog-tie. Despite my bound ankles, I struggled into a sitting position and waited to see what would happen next. Scott looked at Duncan and said, "I'm sorry, but I am going to have to take your specs off. I think they will be safer!" Duncan gave his brother a wry grin and replied, "Well, I'm hardly in a position to stop you, and I certainly can't do it for you!" Scott giggled, reached up and removed the precious objects; Duncan blinked and said that the case was in his pocket. Safely put away, Scott returned them to his brother's shorts pocket and said, "Right, time to gag these two." They had no time to protest as Mark and David immediately stepped forward with the wadded cloths. Duncan obligingly opened his mouth to enable his captors to push the pad firmly home but Ian was more reluctant, clamping his jaws tightly closed. A waste of effort - even without the presence of Mark and David, Scott knew precisely how to deal with this. He stepped forward and grasped the youngster's nose between finger and thumb. A few seconds later he was gasping for air and the cloth was stuffed without ceremony into his mouth. Duncan's gag had already been secured - a moment later and so was Ian's. They would have no more opportunity to protest.
Mark proposed that they should take us all back to their base and David immediately concurred. Scott however was savouring this moment and insisted his brothers should be further secured. My heart sank for them. Scott was really enjoying himself and had no intention of letting them off lightly. The other two boys were more than happy to enjoy the spectacle so didn't argue with Scott - they merely passed some more rope to him and waited. Seizing Duncan by the arms he turned him around once more and began to bind his elbows as mine were. The younger boy struggled a little, ineffectually, and David himself protested mildly. Scott simply laughed and said, "These two are keen on gymnastics too. Today they are going to regret their flexibility." Duncan was powerless to resist and was quickly trussed like me. His brother looked on anxiously. His turn came all too soon and again unable to put up any resistance his elbows were seized tightly together behind his back.
But Scott had still not finished and asked for some short lengths of cord. These were produced immediately and now I realised what had been bothering me about their dress earlier - their belts! I have often stated in these tales that James and I were both pretty skinny. Because of this (and our respective parents' propensity for buying us clothes that were too large, or in my case making me wear my brother's cast offs) we were the only pair in the whole of "The TUG Group" who wore belts with our shorts when not in uniform. That said, they would have been completely ineffective with the gym shorts we both wore for these games if we hadn't hitched the elastic waist band up through the belt, and then tucked it over. It did mean that we wore our shorts somewhat shorter than was intended but our belts were invisible. Scott had finished tying Ian's elbows but before the younger boy even had an opportunity to test his bonds, an exercise in futility, he had taken one of the pieces of cord Mark handed to him and carefully lashed his brother's wrists to his belt! Within moments he had done the same for Duncan and their misfortune was complete. Their arms were fastened rigidly behind them and it would be impossible for them to free themselves without help. I looked at Scott with awe - he might always have been a victim before but clearly he had thought long and deeply about the vengeance he would wreak on his brothers...
Richard
UK
Wednesday, April 17th 2002 - 01:50:51 AM
The New Guys - Part 6
David and Mark were impressed too. After congratulating their buddy in the most effusive terms, my ankles were untied and we were ushered out of our hiding place. Then we were marched back to their base (Mike's patrol hut), a few minutes away. With our tightly bound arms we were helped on our way with regular prods from our captors who clearly enjoyed seeing us stumble along the way. Although it was only a short distance I was glad to arrive and sank down gratefully to the ground. Taking their cue from me the others did the same. I was not a bit surprised when Mark disappeared inside the hut and produced a water bottle. Our gags were removed and I drank deeply but the twins immediately started making the wildest threats at their brother. Our captors simply laughed at them and seeing me shake my head they desisted and accepted the proffered drink.
Scott, David and Mark withdrew to the hut for a brief council and I was relieved that our mouths had been left free temporarily. I looked at the twins - they were wriggling round on the ground trying to get comfortable, which was not easy with their tightly bound arms, and wrists still lashed to their belts - and asked them if they were OK. They both looked up and grinned, then Ian answered, "We'll live! Neither of us expected Scott to be so original with his rope work. I don't know where he gets his ideas from!" - I could hazard a guess - "I'm sure Duncan was as surprised as me when we saw you with your arms lashed behind you like that. We have been able to make our elbows touch behind us since we were very small but thought we were almost unique." He added ruefully, "Still, we would be far more comfortable if big brother hadn't known!"
I struggled into a more comfortable position - only marginally easier than for the twins - and said, "We won't have long. When they come out they will try to make sure we can't reach one another and get free that way, and they will certainly put our gags back." Ian was closest to me and I told him to wriggle round and I would try to free his hands before we were spotted. It took us a little while to position ourselves but I was gratified to hear a low murmur of conversation coming from the hut - we were clearly unobserved. I set to work on the belt lashing first and had some luck - the knot was readily accessible and in a few moments I heard Ian breathe a sigh of relief as he obtained a little more freedom. Next we both lay down and I set to work on his elbows, More difficult but my perseverance was rewarded. Now I was scared that we would be caught before I could set my pal free so I redoubled my efforts, despite the pain in my arms, held rigidly behind my back. Walking had been difficult with our arms tied and certainly running was out of the question. Perhaps that is why our captors had not bothered to retie our ankles (or perhaps they were just being slack), but as I worked I whispered, "Don't attempt to untie either of us. When your hands are free get away as fast as you can and try to get some help. I will try to liberate Duncan but we are running out of time!" Ian looked sorrowfully at his tightly bound brother but Duncan immediately reinforced my comments, "Yes, go! Don't waste Richard's efforts."
Suddenly his hands were free and our pal was on his feet. Then three things happened at once. Ian made a dash for the clearing, away from the hut and as he did so our captors appeared at the door, in time to see their fleeing prisoner. Scott made a move to pursue him but at that moment Robert stumbled into the clearing, hands tied behind his back and securely gagged. He was followed by Mike and Andrew who had clearly pushed him through the final boundary of bushes causing their prisoner to stagger inelegantly. This unexpected development brought Scott to a momentary halt, sufficiently long to ensure that Ian made good his escape. As the former turned again to follow his brother he was called back by David who pointed out it was unlikely he would catch him. "Don't worry, we know how to deal with escaped prisoners," David added sinisterly.
Robert had been pushed to the ground and this time they were taking no chances. His ankles and knees were rapidly lashed together and then our foes turned their attention to me. Mark approached and looking down at me he said, "My word, you have been busy. What a shame your friend didn't wait for you! I guess we will have to think of some way to discourage a repeat performance." Duncan's feet were bound and with his hands still tied to his belt he was once more helpless. I on the other hand was hauled to my feet and pushed towards a young sapling. I knew exactly what was about to happen but resistance was useless. I sensed someone step behind me and a hand closed over my face. I should have been expecting this but as I opened my mouth to protest a new rag was stuffed unceremoniously into my mouth and tied in place. I was gagged once more. Now I was forced onto my knees, my back against the young tree, my legs were pulled back none too carefully, my trainers and socks were pulled off, and my ankles were crossed behind the trunk and lashed together. Duncan watched proceedings, his eyes wide. He was clearly wondering if this was about to happen to him. Now I felt a pair of hands force my shoulders forwards and at last my elbows were released. Despite my gag, I let out an audible sigh of relief. My hands followed but because my arms were by now very stiff, I put up no struggle at all (little good it would have done me in any case!). With no resistance on my part my tee shirt was pulled up and over my head and then my arms were raised, pulled backwards behind my head and the trunk of the tree, my wrists were crossed and bound and at last I was free of the attentions of our captors. They stood back and admired their handiwork while I wondered if I was about to be interrogated. This was worrying - I had nothing useful to tell them but if they started to tickle me (and my bare ribs stretched taut by my unnatural position were simply crying out for attention) would they think I was merely trying to hold out on them? My mind was quickly put at rest however by Mike who said, "Don't worry, we're not going to torture you. Well, not yet anyway!"
Richard
UK
Thursday, April 18th 2002 - 04:51:01 AM
The New Guys - Part 7
With this friendly reassurance I was able to relax and observe the rest of these proceedings.
I was now trussed in a way that I have mentioned before in these tales, but at the risk of belabouring the point I would like to take a moment to describe it a little more fully and perhaps give a better appreciation of my predicament. First, a relatively small tree would be selected. It was important that the prisoner's feet could be drawn back sufficiently far to cross his ankles behind the trunk and there lash them together. This ensured the victim would remain kneeling while the pressure of the trunk on the lower back forced him slightly forward. As I have said, his hands would then be pulled above and behind his head and similarly tied at the wrists, behind the tree trunk. No ropes were actually tied to the tree - it was unnecessary if the right sized sapling was used, as the prisoner would find himself unable either to stretch his hands upwards or bring them lower down behind his head to gain relief. It goes without saying that my mates were masters when it came to selecting a suitable specimen. I suppose it is what today would be termed a stress position. It was preferable to co-operate with your captors and once your feet were bound resistance was quite useless in any case. The prisoner would invariably (and obligingly) find that, as his hands and arms were drawn upwards and back, he would arch his back in an automatic reflex, to accommodate his captors as they were lashing him in position. Only when they had finished and he was properly trussed would he find out - too late - that it was impossible to relax! His body would be arched like a bow and with skinny kids like James and me the skin would be stretched as taut as a drum across our ribs. Thus one would remain until released and it goes without saying it was a prime and oft used method used to secure our foes prior to interrogation. They were often ready to reveal all they knew even before they felt the silky caress of a fingertip, run lightly down the side of their ribs! Time and again I thanked my stars for my flexibility although sometimes it would take an hour or so for the stiffness to wear off.
But I digress. My position would not normally have encouraged me to wonder what would happen next (or to whom) but an unusual situation had arisen. David and Robert were brothers and in my experience had never fought on opposite sides. While my older brother, Chris, often teased me gently which resulted in our indulging in "play fights" (and I guess similarly with Scott and his brothers), I had never heard any word of dissent pass between these two. But now Robert (the elder by a year) was a bound prisoner, and his younger brother had so far taken the lead in arranging our fate. Would he try to go easy on his sibling? I needn't have worried and my team-mate didn't have to wait long to find out.
Robert was still lying on his stomach, his wrists crossed and bound and his ankles and knees lashed together. He was of course gagged. Our captors went into a very brief huddle and I heard a few whispered comments, then David, Scott and Mark stepped up to Robert and began to untie his legs. Mike had disappeared into the hut. As soon as Robert' s feet were free Mark grasped his (now unbound) knees, forcing them as far apart as he could. At the same time Scott grasped his feet and, after deftly removing socks and trainers, pulled them upwards and together until they were crossed. Showing no compassion for his brother, David then mercilessly lashed his ankles together in this position. As he finished, Mike reappeared carrying a 6-foot stave and more rope. Mark maintained the pressure on the prisoner's legs, if anything increasing it somewhat while Mike and David, taking a leg apiece lashed the stave tightly across Robert's legs, behind his knees. When they had finished he was unable to move and naturally would be incapable of standing or rolling over - the projecting stave would see to that. Next, David took a further length of rope and lashed it to the boy's already tightly bound wrists. This he led over the prostrate figure's right shoulder across his chest, over the other shoulder and back down to the tied hands. Taking a turn around the wrists he heaved on the rope mightily, forcing Robert's hands high up his back. Despite his bound mouth Robert uttered a single yelp through his gag but he was powerless to resist. Within a few moments David had lashed the line securely, taking care that none of his knots would be within reach of his brother's fingers (although it was doubtful if he could have done much with his hands pulled so high). If Robert thought he would now be left to his misery he was sadly mistaken. Mike passed a further rope to David who lashed it to Robert's ankles, pulled them hard up over his butt and tied it off once again to his wrists, carefully ensuring the prisoner would have no freedom of movement in his legs. Robert was now immobilised. If he tried to stretch his arms to relieve the pressure on his legs, he was prevented by the cord around his shoulders. The hog-tie naturally ensured he could not raise his arms further up his back (virtually impossible in any case as David had made sure they were as high as they would go) or stretch his legs. If the enemy were testing David's loyalty, he must have passed with flying colours!
Our captors had been careful to leave Duncan where he could see what was taking place. He had watched wide eyed while I was trussed up and then followed every move as Robert was bound. As a neophyte to these activities he was in the unenviable position of being able to watch from afar, as it were, what was likely to happen to him in a few minutes. I knew only too well, from our earlier conversations, that much of his bravado (and the same applied to his twin) had been assumed for the benefit of their new friends. I could also tell from his expression that, despite his apparently poor eyesight, he had taken in every nuance of the scene unfolding before him. The simple anticipation of what lay in store for him must have been torture! Separated now from his escaped brother - until Ian departed they had seemed joined at the hip - I found myself feeling profoundly sorry for him, despite myself.
With Robert now trussed to the satisfaction of our captors Duncan's turn had arrived. I actually saw him give a slight shudder as the older boys moved towards him. However, bowed but not broken. They surrounded the youngster and his older brother poked him playfully with a toe before asking, "So, what do you think we should do with you, little brother?" Duncan stared back, and with an impish grin said, "How about if I join your side?" His four tormentors were stopped in their tracks. They looked at one another, then down at their captive who grinned impudently back at them. Then suddenly the woods echoed with their laughter. As it subsided a small voice said, "guess that means no, then. Still, it was worth a try!"
Before he could speak again Mike, still trying to control his mirth, said, "For heavens sake keep him quiet!" Without more ado, Mark stooped beside the prisoner, stuffed the obligatory rag in his mouth - Duncan must have been expecting it and made no attempt to resist - and tied it in place in the usual manner. No more joking for Duncan. In fact he was about to fair reasonably well. You will recall that his arms were still tied behind his back at wrist and elbow and the former were attached to his belt. Additionally his ankles were tied. Scott and David now reached down, rolled him onto his back (quite uncomfortable with his arms trussed as they were) and, grasping him by his shoulders and knees, carried him a few yards across the clearing. There they deposited him once more upon his back. It was only now that I noticed the all too familiar stakes, driven into the hard ground last summer and used to secure James and me, had been replaced. I, at least, now knew what Duncan's fate was to be and he being almost a year older than me and a couple of inches taller, shouldn't be too uncomfortable. Duncan however wasn't gifted with my insight and appeared less sanguine. His ankles were untied but before his legs could be seized and stretched out to the waiting stakes he lashed out with both feet simultaneously. It was a futile gesture. Stretched on his back, his arms tightly bound and immobilised behind his back beneath him, he was quickly overpowered and all he obtained for his efforts was the loss of his trainers and socks. Hands grasped his legs firmly, stretching him out and in moments his ankles were each tightly bound to a stake. Now at last, he was helped (quite gently) into a sitting position, his hands were first freed from his belt and then his elbows were finally untied. Next, the lashing on his wrists was removed but this time they were taking no chances. Before the final turns were removed Mike and David grasped an arm each, leaving him no opportunity to resist. Like me he was stripped of his shirt and then he was stretched out and his arms tied to the remaining stakes. To make sure he was unable to move (remember, the stakes had been positioned uncannily accurately to hold me who was smaller), his arms were stretched out taught and the lashing was placed a couple of inches from his wrists. He would be unable to move, or reach the ropes holding him. The fight had gone out of him and he lay quite still, but I felt relieved for my new pal - he was certainly more comfortable than he had been for a while and his cheeky remark had appealed to my sense of humour. Still, I was grateful that he didn't realise that having his shirt removed would probably spell worse to come later. Oh well, we were both in the same boat there!
Richard
UK