Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Monday, July 23rd 2001 - 12:52:22 PM Summer Camp Adventure - Part 1

   Readers of my earlier post (Evasion in the Woods - Posted 30 June) will
be familiar with the general scenario and some of the characters. 
Following our adventures on that occasion, James and I became close
friends, a situation that would have dire repercussions.  James had a
wicked sense of humour and a lust for practical jokes which he would
indulge in with the least provocation.  I, perhaps foolishly, was more than
happy to follow his lead and being amongst the younger members of the scout
troop, we frequently incurred the wrath of our seniors.  It became the norm
for the latter to "punish" us by tying one, or usually both of us, up when
they could catch us.  Not many meetings went by without one of us spending
at least an hour, bound in a variety of ways for our various misdemeanours.
We accepted this as a just consequence of our actions, and let's face it,
neither of us disliked being bound even if we would have preferred to avoid
the "tickle torture" sessions that sometimes ensued.

   Our activities were invariably aimed at members of the other patrols,
sometimes with the assistance (and invariably with the knowledge) of our
own patrol members.  We would accept our "punishments" without protest and
it was an unwritten rule that we would be left by our tormentors to be
liberated by our colleagues after a reasonable time, usually between one
and two hours.

   At last high summer arrived, and with it the school vacation and
prospects of our 2 week summer camp.  On this occasion, a central area in
our woods was occupied by our leader's tent, together with cooking
facilities, storage etc.  and each patrol was allowed to site their own
tents separately, establishing their own "territory".  We had been provided
with large tents suitable for 6-8 people and my patrol had 2 of these for
our six boys.  We divided 3 and 3 and James and I found ourselves sharing
with Stuart (13) who had been initiated into "The Games" but didn't
generally hang out with us.  He had a great sense of humour and this was
fortunate, as he would later find himself deeply embroiled in our
activities.  The two tents were sited approximately 20 feet apart.

   Before turning in on our first night under canvas, Stuart proposed a
"tie up" competition with each of us taking it in turns to be tied, with a
time limit of 30 minutes each.  The winner was to be the one who freed
himself in the shortest time, the loser to take responsibility for keeping
the tent clean and tidy for the next 3 days.  James and I were a little
surprised at this but quickly accepted the challenge, and a variety of hog
ties followed, more or less adequately applied, during which Stuart
surprised us with his knot tying efficiency and good humour.  James was the
loser, having failed so much as to loosen any of his bonds skilfully
applied by Stuart, while the latter gained a comprehensive victory by
freeing himself completely in the time limit.  I only managed to free my
self from the lashing between ankles and wrists and managed to get my feet
free.  My hands were still securely tied behind my back when the time
expired!

   Our activities were now cut short by our leaders insisting that we all
turned in.  In the warm darkness, James began to gleefully outline some of
his schemes for the coming days and I suddenly realised that this camp was
going to be great fun but at the same time we were likely to spend a lot of
time deprived of our liberty!  Stuart listened in mute admiration to James
who suddenly voiced a concern that was growing in my mind, "Look Stuart,
you may catch it if you stick around us during the day.  Richard and I are
quite happy to accept any repercussions but it wouldn't be fair to involve
you".  We were both amazed when he replied, "That's OK.  Thanks for your
concern but some of your plans sound like fun and if I get caught with you
I guess I will just have to accept the outcome!" He had been around long
enough to know what sought of retribution was generally meted out to us.

   Over the next few days we amused ourselves by carrying out an endless
succession of practical jokes on our friends, sometimes alone and sometimes
aided and abetted by Stuart.  The latter managed to keep a low profile and
he avoided any come back, but James and I spent several hours either tied
to trees or staked out in front of the "opposition's" tents.  Tickle
torture became almost obligatory (every boy in the troop knew what a
devastating effect this had on me - James was more stoical) and we were
invariably securely gagged during this operation.  At other times our
mouths would be left free provided we agreed to give our solemn word to
keep silent until we were liberated.  We invariably agreed since we were
always closely guarded and were immediately gagged if we broke our promise.
When our penance was deemed complete the other members of our patrol would
be told where they could find us and would immediately set us free.

   Our leaders were aware of what was going on and checked from time to
time that we were not being treated too roughly, although James and I were
not unduly concerned about our treatment in the hands of our adversaries,
since we knew that none of them would deliberately inflict any pain or
anything with a lasting effect on us.  In any case, we lost most of the
sympathy we might have had after large Thistle heads mysteriously found
their way into the leader's sleeping bags one day!...

   Richard UK

   Monday, July 23rd 2001 - 12:54:57 PM Summer Camp Adventure - Part 2

   On the evening of the fourth day James joined Stuart and me in high
excitement with his latest scheme which he said was a cracker.  I should
have realised that matters were escalating and that there could be nothing
but trouble ahead but what 12-year-old thinks with that sort of logic? 
Although we were close friends with everyone in the troop, James seemed to
take Mike and Peter's attentions during his first "Game" (see Evasion in
the Woods) personally and couldn't resist any opportunity to get at them.
This was despite the fact that they were (a) Older than us, (b) Both expert
knot tiers and (c) Breathtaking in their originality when it came to tying
someone up.  Our "woodland paradise" was close to an excellent beach and we
spent much of our spare time swimming in the warm, safe waters.  The bay
was largely sandy with rocky outcrops.  The path to the beach led through a
small gorge with "cliffs" approximately 20 feet high on each side.  James
had discovered that Mike's patrol was planning to swim early the following
morning in a group and the former was proposing an ambush at the gorge.  We
would arm ourselves with buckets filled with a mixture of mud and sand held
together with seawater and the effects would be devastating.  Since the
returning group would still be dressed in swimming gear, the effects would
come off in a shower, leaving only egos with any lasting damage.  He was
confident we could beat a hasty retreat from the scene of the crime without
being spotted and had already recruited a fourth member of our patrol (Ken)
to this crazy but audacious scheme.  I suggested that this was going a
little far but in the face of unqualified support for the plan from Stuart,
reinforced by the sudden arrival of Ken at our meeting I capitulated. 
James had always been staunch in his support of me and we had suffered too
much together for me to ditch him now, however crazy his schemes!

   After supper we four gathered up buckets and left the camp to fill them
with oozing mud gathered from a ditch, topping this off with sand from the
beach and adding sea water to produce the right consistency.  When we had
finished it made a satisfying "glop" when mixed with our hands and in
addition had a vile smell.  We carried our creation back to the camp,
ensuring the buckets were well hidden.

   After breakfast the next morning, Mike announced that his patrol were
going swimming, went to their tents to change and duly left for the beach.
The third patrol had duties to carry out that morning about the camp but I
had persuaded James that we should at least tell the two remaining members
of our patrol, David and Robert who were brothers, what was about to happen
so that they could organise alibis.  I suppose I thought they would realise
what a hair brained scheme it was and try to talk us out of it so I was
shocked when they not only said they thought it was brilliant but offered
to join us.  My last escape route was therefore comprehensively blocked!

   There was nothing for it but to gather our ammunition and take up
positions, with Stuart David and me on one side and the other three on the
other.  We kept well down behind the ridge and at length Mike, Peter and
the others appeared looking refreshed and invigorated by their exercise. 
They were chatting gaily without a care when the first handful of lethal
mud descended to be followed by an absolute barrage.  Filled with
confusion, in no time at all they were absolutely filthy with the stinking
mixture.  They were unable to see us and I had high hopes that we would be
able to creep away from the scene of our crime un-noticed as planned, which
amazingly we seemed to accomplish.  Returning circuitously and quickly to
the campsite we were there to greet our (filthy) friends on their arrival.
If they suspected anything, they gave no indication although they uttered
the wildest imprecations against the perpetrators of this attack.  They
went to shower and change and reappeared, duly washed and changed on the
friendliest terms.  This alone should have warned us that all was not well
but after all they could hardly launch an attack against the whole patrol
in the middle of the campsite.

   The whole troop spent the afternoon on the beach and everyone enjoyed
the sun, the sea and the companionship.  We finally made our way back in
the late afternoon for supper whereupon Mike approached, handed me a
handkerchief and asked if it was mine.  I looked closely at it and realised
it would be pointless denying it.  I loved my Mother dearly but why did she
have to be so paranoid about putting name tapes on all the property I took
to camp?  I thanked him and asked with a sinking feeling where he found it.
"Oh, outside the camp" Mike said airily and walked away.

   I immediately commenced searching for James sensing somehow that the
lost handkerchief connected me (and probably him by implication) to what
had happened that morning.  I found him in our tent and told him about my
encounter with Mike.  He showed no surprise whatever and handed me a note
he had found attached to his sleeping bag.  Sinisterly, it read, "Don't go
out alone, watch your back at all times.  Revenge (when it comes) is
sweet". I was shocked when I discovered that identical notes were attached
to the other two sleeping bags in the tent.  We called Stuart and sat down
to discuss what we could do having first established that the other 3 boys
had received no such threats and must therefore be assumed to be in the
clear.  James agreed that perhaps we had better de-escalate our activities
and be on our best behaviour for the next few days.  We decided that we
would remain in a tight group with the other three on the basis that there
was safety in numbers and this decision was endorsed by the others who were
more than happy to provide us with some security, in view of their
involvement.  Finally, we apologised profusely to Stuart for getting him
involved but he reminded us it was his decision and that it was I who had
spoken out against it.  He would take any retribution that was coming.

   For the next couple of days we moved like fugitives on a police
protection scheme, never being out of contact with one another or our
"minders" but camp life went on and everyone behaved in the friendliest
manner.  No reference had been made to our attack since it happened and I
slowly began to hope that perhaps Mike wasn't sure and we would escape
untouched.

   Some hope!

   We turned in three nights later laying awake talking for maybe half an
hour before finally succumbing to tiredness, and curling up in our sleeping
bags.  Our fears of retribution had largely evaporated over the last few
days and I fell into a deep, contented sleep.  I came to, to feel my
shoulder being gently shaken.  It was still dark outside and I yawned as I
whispered "Wos matter?" I didn't get any further - a large wadded cloth was
stuffed unceremoniously into my mouth and simultaneously I felt someone sit
on top of me, straddling my arms with his knees and pinning my arms inside
my zipper-less sleeping bag.  In the moonlight entering the tent through
the open entrance I could make out several dark forms and realised that
James and Stuart were each receiving the same treatment.  I tried to spit
out the cloth but a hand was clamped tightly over my mouth, to be replaced
shortly by a second cloth (in reality my own scarf), forced between my
teeth and tied off tightly at the back of my neck.  We had all been
securely gagged in total silence with no opportunity to cry out for help.
Not a sound had been made - or would be!  My eyes now accustomed to the
moonlight, I could make out six figures in the tent, two for each of us. 
How we had revelled in the luxury of the spaciousness of our tents - how we
regretted it now!

   With the three of us effectively silenced and still restrained in our
sleeping bags by a boy sitting on each of us I felt my legs lifted inside
the bag.  A noose of rope was passed around them and tied tightly further
restricting my movements (the other two once again received the same
treatment).  Someone then bent down and whispered in my ear, "We need to
have a little chat about certain events a few days ago.  This is not a
convenient place to talk so we hoped you would agree to come for a short
stroll with us.  I am sure you will understand that for your own protection
(and ours) we will need to tie your hands behind your backs.  If you agree
to come quietly without a struggle it will make it easier on your selves.
Otherwise we shall have to carry you which may prove painful.  If you
agree, nod your head".  I had immediately recognised Mike as our inquisitor
- I had once heard him describe carrying someone in what sounded a most
painful manner and which I will not elaborate on here - I accepted his
terms with alacrity (I am relieved to say that James and Stuart did as
well).  My heart sank as I knew that, once our hands were tied, which was
inevitable, we would be at their mercy... Richard UK

   Tuesday, July 24th 2001 - 03:54:37 AM Summer Camp Adventure - Part 3

   I felt the boy pinning me down arise but I was unable to use my hands
since the draw cord on the hood and neck of my sleeping bag had been pulled
tight effectively sealing me in it.  I was unceremoniously rolled onto my
stomach and the bag was loosened and turned back until my shoulders were
uncovered.  My arms were seized and pulled behind my back, my wrists were
crossed and I felt my hands being tied uncommonly tightly with the familiar
lashing.  Our captors were clearly still cross and had no intention of our
escaping.  After cinching the rope off I felt it being knotted off at the
back of my wrists, well out of reach of my fingers.  One by one Stuart and
then James were pulled half out of their sleeping bags and their hands duly
tied behind their backs in the same fashion.  The whole operation had been
carried out in complete silence and had clearly been thoroughly planned. 
It was most unlikely that any one would be woken - the nearest tent
containing our three comrades was at least twenty feet away and they were
all as exhausted as we had been.  We could only lie there waiting to see
what would happen next.

   Stuart's legs were now freed, he was hauled to his feet and, escorted by
two of our assailants he was frog-marched away.  Five minutes passed and
then James was dragged out of his sleeping bag and led off.  Finally, after
a similar interval I felt my legs being untied and I was hauled out of my
bag.  With a boy holding each of my arms we made our way silently out of
the camp.  The ground under the trees was largely sand, covered in pine
needles but my captors guided me carefully over rough spots since I, like
James and Stuart, was bare footed.  Finally we arrived at a steep rocky
path about 400 yards from the camp which led up to a clearing.  With my
hands tightly tied behind my back I needed help to climb up.  A light
breeze was blowing and the pre-dawn air struck chill.  We three prisoners
were all dressed the same in nothing but blue cotton PE shorts, the nights
being too warm for tee shirts but I now shivered involuntarily, both with
the cold and the thought of the ordeal that lay in front of us.  James and
Stuart lay on the ground before me, their ankles bound, and tightly
hog-tied.  I was ordered to kneel, my ankles were efficiently and tightly
tied, I was pushed forward onto my stomach and within moments I was in a
similar position, the lashing between wrists and ankles so tight that my
fingertips were brushing my heels.  There were no knots within reach of
searching fingers.  I realised with a feeling of impending doom that all
the members of Mike's patrol were present.

   We had been laid side by side in a rough semi-circle and now Mike stood
before us and spoke softly.  "I suspect you know why we have brought you
here, but I have some questions to ask you.  As I am sure you know, we were
ambushed a few days ago on the way back from the beach and we suspect your
involvement, rightly or wrongly.  Provided we get satisfactory answers we
will treat you as generously as we possibly can under the circumstances. 
Unfortunately, we cannot risk your attracting attention so your gags will
have to stay put, at least for the time being.  Just nod or shake your
heads as appropriate".  I lay, staring up at him wide eyed feeling
unbelievably vulnerable.  I blanched at the thought of Mike's "generosity"
and wondered what the others were thinking.

   Mike moved to a position in front of me and spoke quietly "Would you be
surprised to hear where we found your handkerchief?" I could have a pretty
fair guess - I shook my head.  "I guess that places you, at least, at the
scene of the crime".  I felt I at least had nothing further to lose and
nodded my assent.  "What about your friends here?" This time I made no
response.  He moved to Stuart and James in turn asking each of them to
confess their part in the attack but they each made no movement.  Mike then
moved to Stuart and said, "Richard has admitted his part in the attack on
us and in our experience where he goes, this one" - pointing at James -
"invariably follows.  They regularly suffer for their activities but I am
sorry that they got you involved this time.  Rather than be too harsh on
you, we are going to give you the opportunity to see what happens to
miscreants".

   I was deeply indignant at this little speech - it implied that I was the
ringleader, which was wholly false.  James was the mastermind of all our
schemes and on this occasion I had been led into it unwillingly by him and
Stuart.  On the other hand, if Stuart hadn't been sharing our tent he would
not have been involved so I was grateful that it appeared he would be let
off lightly.  James and I were used to this sort of thing, after all!

   Mike returned to James and me and asked us if we were prepared to
acknowledge our crimes.  I took a sidelong look at my bound friend who made
no movement whatever.  It seemed we were both resigned to our fate.

   At a signal from Mike some of the boys released Stuart from the hog tie
and untied his feet.  With his hands still tied behind his back he was led
behind us so James and I were unable to see what was happening.  James was
next and once more, after his feet were freed he was led out of sight.

   The anticipation of what was about to happen was almost too much to bear
but within a few minutes our captors turned their attention to me.  My
ankles were untied and I was hauled to my feet and led to the edge of the
clearing, which was surrounded by pine trees of varying sizes.  I didn't
have time to take in what had happened to my comrades before I was pushed
towards a young tree, very straight and smooth, and approximately 6 inches
in diameter.  I was made to turn around and forced onto my knees, my back
against the trunk (so far as my bound hands would allow).  I was
"persuaded" to kneel bolt upright, my knees were forced apart, I felt hands
seize my ankles which were crossed behind the trunk and lashed together
tightly.  Before I had time to take stock of my situation hands pushed my
shoulders forward and I felt my wrists being untied at last.  My new found
freedom didn't last long - my arms were now seized, stretched above my
head, my hands were pulled backwards and my wrists crossed and retied, once
more behind the trunk of the sapling.  Our captors stepped away to admire
their handiwork giving me time not only to appreciate my own predicament
but also to see my two companions.

   Stuart was standing upright against a much stouter tree to my left, his
ankles bound and lashed at the base of the trunk while his arms had been
pulled around the tree, crossed, and his wrists tightly bound.  To ensure
his complete immobility, a further rope had been tied above his elbows
pulling them back as far as they would go and making it impossible for him
to free him self in the (unlikely) event of his getting his hands free. 
James was to my right and the circular nature of the clearing meant that we
were almost facing one another.  He was tied in exactly the same manner as
I was.

   I have mentioned before that we were both rather skinny.  Our respective
parents tended to buy our clothes on the large side and our shorts were no
exception.  To get round the difficulty of having to hoick our pants up
from time to time we had both adopted the practice of wearing a belt and,
in the absence of belt loops, of turning the tops of our shorts over the
belt to keep them in place.  This was more than satisfactory but had the
effect of making them both shorter and tighter.  Looking at James now I
realised that he was kneeling with his back arched, his skin taught over
his ribs and a tell tale bulge in his pants that suggested he was enjoying
this!  Suddenly, I blushed deeply as I realised that I was showing the same
tell tale signs.  I put it down to fear of the unknown rather than
"enjoyment".

   Mike approached and surprised me by saying, "Sorry we couldn't bring
your shirts - I noticed you shivering a little while ago but it is now 4.15
and the sun will be up in another half hour or so which will warm things
up. I'm afraid you are going to be here for a few hours unless you get
free" - Some hope!  - "So make yourselves comfortable.  We will try to
entertain you to stop you getting bored!" He gave a signal and another boy
stepped behind me and started to untie my gag.  "Don't even think about
calling out - you must be thirsty by now and we are going to give you a
drink".  Only then did I notice a large water carrier and some bottles on
the edge of the clearing.  Each of us guzzled greedily from the offered
bottle which seemed to please Mike inordinately.

   When we had finished he said, "Sorry but the gags go back".  There
seemed little point in resisting and I obligingly opened wide while the wad
was stuffed into my mouth and the scarf tied back in place.  "Most of us
are going to leave you now for a while, but don't worry, Matthew is going
to keep watch over you and make sure you get water from time to time". 
With that he and six of his followers silently crept away leaving us to
ponder our predicament and our aching limbs.  It was clear that our ordeal
wasn't over by a long way but what did we have in store?  And why had James
and I been tied up differently from Stuart? Richard UK

   Tuesday, July 24th 2001 - 03:55:53 AM Summer Camp Adventure - Conclusion

   Fifteen minutes later our gags were removed in turn and once more we
were given a drink before being re-gagged.  This performance was repeated
once more after the same interval but by now it was full light and I saw
Stuart, who was first, shake his head when the bottle was offered.  His gag
was replaced without comment and Matthew moved on to James who also
indicated he didn't need any.  This time however Matthew told him to drink
"as it would help him later".  My turn came, I drank and my gag was
replaced but a faint alarm bell was ringing at the back of my mind.  Why
was it apparently so important for James and me to drink but not Stuart? 
What was going on?

   After another longer interval the water was once more brought out.  This
time Stuart took a little and James and I were encouraged to drink
copiously.  As I finished some water splashed down from the bottle over my
bare ribs with an electrifying effect.  Suddenly I realised that we had
been encouraged to fill our bladders with no means to relieve them.  As
Matthew finished tying my gag in place the other seven boys reappeared
silently in the clearing.  "Did they take their medicine?" Mike asked. 
"Oh, yes" Matthew replied with a smirk.  "As good as gold!" I looked at
James and saw in his eyes that he had suddenly realised what had been done
to the pair of us.

   "It's now 5.30" said Mike, "and as duty patrol we all have to be back in
our tents before 7.00 so that our leaders find us there when they come to
get us up.  You won't be missed until later but we will see that you are
rescued in good time for breakfast at 7.45.  Meanwhile, we have to show you
our displeasure at not admitting your guilt when you were given the
opportunity earlier this evening".  This was hardly fair - I had admitted
my guilt.  It was the others who had remained silent!  He turned to Stuart
and said "Watch closely and be glad you are being spared this part of the
entertainment".

   With that the group sat down while two boys stepped behind James.  I
could only watch wide eyed as one ran his fingers up and down the taut skin
of his ribs while the second started an assault on the exposed soles of his
feet.  James writhed as much as his bonds would allow, which wasn't much,
but despite his accustomed stoicism tears were rolling down his cheeks when
they stopped after five minutes.  I stiffened as they finished and blushed
as I felt the bulge in my shorts in anticipation of what was about to
happen, but there could be no escape and within seconds I was reduced to a
writhing jelly, giggling noiselessly into my most effective gag.  As I
attempted to avoid the searching fingers tears rolled down my cheeks.

   At last it stopped and our tormentors asked if we would like a drink.  I
chewed frantically on my gag and shook my head vigorously - out of the
corner of my eye I saw James doing the same.  Why, oh why had they
mentioned water - I just wanted to forget about water and at the very
mention of it the pressure on my bladder seemed to increase four fold. 
"OK, then we'll get on" grinned Mike and this time the assaults were
launched simultaneously on my bound friend and me.  They all knew that I
was a martyr to tickling but I had been surprised by James's unexpected
reaction.  Normally he stood up to this treatment with surprising fortitude
but perhaps because of the way in which we were bound, our bodies stretched
as taut as a bowstring, his defences were down.  I could see him writhing
and giggling just as I was and suddenly I saw his face turn a deep scarlet.
I glanced down and saw a wet patch appear on his shorts while a small pool
formed by one of his knees.  The sight of this was too much and I finally
was unable to hold on any longer, I turned a colour at least as deep as
James as I felt a warm stream running down my leg.  I hung my head with
shame but instantly our torturers stopped, leaving us gasping for breath
through our gags.  No one made any attempt to draw attention to our
embarrassment much to the relief of both of us.

   "OK fellers, lets see about making them a little more comfortable" said
Mike and at once I felt hands untying my ankles, I was helped to stand
although my hands were still tied above my head.  Once on my feet my ankles
were tied tightly together and my wrists were freed.  Several hands lifted
me off my feet and I was carried to a larger tree, stood with my back
against it, my arms forced around the trunk and my hands tied behind my
back with my wrists crossed.  After the position we had been in for the
last hour or so it felt positively luxurious.  I saw James retied in the
same fashion and the relief on his face was obvious despite the gag.  Our
mouths were now set free and we were offered more water, this time with the
assurance that we would not be given excess.  We both needed a drink after
our exertions and this time Stuart took a little as well.  Having quenched
our thirst Mike said with an apologetic grin "Afraid your punishment is not
quite over.  Hope you will forgive us but we will have to put your gags
back".  I was now resigned to what ever was going to happen and obligingly
opened wide while the cloth was put back in my mouth and the scarf tied
off. The other two did likewise.

   At a signal from Mike the whole group moved away from us and suddenly,
two buckets were produced as if from no where.  I groaned inwardly as it
dawned on me what was about to happen and suddenly we were all three of us
treated to a similar barrage to the one we had provided a few days earlier.
We were all covered in the filthy muck from head to toe with the difference
that we could neither avoid it nor clean it off.

   They finally ran out of ammunition and once more Mike approached.  "It
is now time for us to leave you but before we go we'll try to make you a
little more comfortable.  Don't worry - we promise you will be released in
time to get cleaned up before breakfast." With that our gags were once more
removed and the wad of cloth in our mouths taken out.  I stretched my jaws
ecstatically but didn't have much time to enjoy the experience as our
scarves were once more forced between our teeth.  They were pulled tight
around our necks, the ends brought to the front and knotted between our
teeth.  The gags effectively muffled any attempt at conversation but
without the wadding in our mouths we were much more comfortable.  Our
captors silently disappeared from view leaving us standing looking at one
another tied to our respective trees, and what a sight we were, dressed
only in shorts and covered from head to toe in thick, glutinous mud.

   It was probably by now a little after 6.00 and within an hour we heard
the first stirrings in the camp some distance away.  It would be almost
another half-hour however before we heard voices approaching and Ken,
Robert and David entered the clearing.  Their faces fell when they saw us
but they quickly removed our gags before untying our ankles and then our
hands.  We gave a brief account of our adventures while massaging some life
back into our aching limbs before returning quickly to the camp to shower
and change in time for breakfast.  The final indignity - the shower was
supplied by a galvanised tank of water on the roof of one of our huts. 
During the day the water was warmed by the sun.  At 7.15am it was stone
cold!

   Robert and David told us that when they woke up they came to our tent to
call us and were surprised to find us missing.  One of them spotted a note
pinned to one of our sleeping bags which told them where to find us and
suspecting that we had been abducted they set out on their rescue mission
immediately.

   We were greeted in a friendly fashion at breakfast by Mike and his duty
patrol and we studiously avoided making any reference to the nights
activities.  However, after a discussion with James and on completion of
our morning chores the two of us, accompanied by Stuart, approached our
captors outside their own tents.  Extending his hand towards Mike, James
spoke for all of us "We are truly sorry for what we did the other day and
hope you will accept our apologies.  We all think we deserved the treatment
we got last night and want you to know there are no hard feelings.  Thanks
for letting Stuart off lightly - he wouldn't have become involved if he
hadn't been sharing a tent with us".

   Mike shook hands with us and looked guilty.  "For my part I want to
apologise for the "water torture".  At the time we thought it was a
masterstroke but we should have realised it would be intensely embarrassing
for you both.  I'm pleased you feel this way and that we can all remain
good friends, but don't think for one moment your antics will not go
un-rewarded in the future!"

   We all grinned as we shook hands, the battle was scaled down and the
rest of that Summer Camp was hugely enjoyable.  After we finally broke
camp, we returned to our normal routines and "The Games" recommenced in
earnest.

   Richard UK