Evasion In The Woods - Part 4

by RichardUK

We must have been sitting like this for half an hour when I heard a rustle behind me and James' eyes opened wide in amazement. I attempted to turn round quickly on my bottom, lost my balance, toppled sideways and found myself lying on my back with my elbows still pinioned. Amazingly, I was staring up into Matthew's grinning face! He lifted me into a sitting position before pulling my gag off. Then he turned his attention to my hands.

"Don't waste any time with them," I said. "Free my feet and then do the same for James. You can untie our hands when we are clear from here - they could be back any minute". Seeing the wisdom of this, he left my hands and in a few moments my feet were free. He did the same for James and helped us both to stand before leading us out of the danger zone, pausing only to grab our tee shirts, trainers and pistols.

He led us quickly and silently to a shallow ditch which ran beneath some sizeable shrubs. We both followed him in with some difficulty, since our pinioned arms kept catching on branches, but once inside the cover was total and we felt secure at last. Turning to James, Matthew removed his gag and then untied his hands. As he removed the pinioning stump, James breathed a sigh of relief and massaged his aching shoulders - he had by now been tied up for almost two hours since his initial capture. At last, Matthew freed my hands and I was able to move my arms once more.

We quickly told him of our adventures and we were amazed when he told us that he had managed to surprise two of the enemy and that they were both hogtied and gagged in deep undergrowth where they were unlikely to be found! He then told us that he had seen Paul, who also had a prisoner. As I expected, Paul had taken to the treetops. One of the opposition, fortunately alone, had suspected his presence and started to climb towards his lofty perch. Paul had shot him from above with a well-aimed water pistol, which meant his adversary had to surrender.

We both laughed when Matthew told us that Paul's prisoner had been made to sit astride a stout branch, his hands tied securely behind his back and tightly gagged. Without the use of his hands it was impossible for him to move but Paul had taken the added precaution of lashing his ankles together below the branch, telling him cheerily that now if he lost his balance he wouldn't fall!

Clearly the boy (Mark, twelve years old) didn't relish the prospect of being suspended by his ankles with his hands tied behind his back fifteen feet from the ground - according to Matthew he hadn't moved so much as a muscle since his capture!

Matthew also told us there were two boys guarding the border of the home base, both of them excellent shots with water pistols. Although the odds were much shorter now (six to four), it would be very difficult to get everyone across the border without some casualties; and in the event of a draw, any prisoners at the end of the game could look forward to a further hour of captivity.

Finally, we decided that Matthew would fetch Paul while James and I would attempt to capture the two border guards. We would then make our final dash for freedom leaving us the victors! It was now 6.15pm and our task would be aided by the coming dusk.

Matthew slipped away silently and after a few moments James and I left our hide and began making our stealthy way towards the "Border". Keeping well hidden, we watched the two "guards" as they patrolled the small clearing until, after a few minutes they were both standing within range.

"Now", I whispered to James and we fired simultaneously and with great satisfaction saw wet patches appear on their shirts. The two spun round to be informed they were our prisoners. We ordered them to come to the edge of the clearing and lay down, whereupon we proceeded to gag them securely before tying their hands behind their backs and their ankles and wrists together. James, in particular, was well satisfied with his handiwork (no doubt he was feeling the injustice of having been tied up for so long earlier).

As I completed tying my prisoner, I said conversationally without looking up, "We will have to remain well hidden until Matthew and Paul get here just in case they need our help". At that moment I felt a wet patch spreading on my shirt and I sprung round to find myself face to face with Mike, Peter and Roger accompanied by a fourth boy, Andrew. Roger and Andrew were holding Matthew between them, his hands tied behind his back and so tightly gagged his mouth seemed to be pulled back almost to his ears.

"As you can see, we have brought Matthew with us to save you waiting," Mike said. “Down on the ground both of you with your hands behind your heads." We dutifully obeyed although the look in James’s eyes said, Oh no, not again! Peter quickly untied the two border guards and then stood back while they gleefully placed our hands behind our backs, tying our hands and elbows together as James had been when first captured.

“Better gag them both," said Mike. "We don't want them alerting Paul." And this was quickly and efficiently carried out. However, it was good to know that Paul was apparently still at large.

"OK, on your feet - maybe we should put the stumps back in," said Peter, an evil gleam in his eye. We were helped up and the three of us were led back to the enemy base.

On arrival, Matthew was pushed to the ground, his ankles were bound and he was quickly hog-tied.

"That should keep you quiet while we sort these two out, but don't worry we will be back with you in a few minutes," said Mike cheerfully. I realized that Matthew was probably the only one who knew where Paul was and presumably his own prisoners still hadn't been found and rescued. With three of their number missing I was sure Mike would go to any lengths to extract this information.

Several substantial pine trees grew on the edge of the clearing and I was now taken to one of these and ordered to stand with my back to the trunk. Peter produced a rope, tying my ankles tightly together and then lashed them to the base of the tree. I was then pushed forward; my arms were untied and immediately seized and pulled around the trunk.

My wrists were crossed and with an unrelenting pull on my arms to ensure I would not be able to move, my hands were tightly lashed both vertically and horizontally. The rope was finally cinched and knotted off well out of reach of my fingers. The hands released me and I tested my bonds discovering once again that it was impossible to flex my fingers or wrists. I was going nowhere! James was ushered to a neighboring tree and dealt with similarly...

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