" 'No one came near us for some time, and as we could hear the sound of voices, we guessed that a great council was taking place, and we agreed at once to loosen the knots, so as to be in readiness for work, as like enough they would put a sentry over us at night.
'It was a risky thing to try, for we might be disturbed at any minute. Still we thought it were our only chance, so Jack set to work with his teeth at my knots and in a quarter of an hour had loosened them. We unbound our thongs and then fastened them up again so that to the eye they looked just the same as before, but really with a jerk they would fall off us.
'I must teach you how to do that, Harold, some time yer may find it of use."

G.A. Henty, True to the Old Flag