‘Perhaps, to keep him concealed, until they could obtain a heavy ransom for his release.’
‘But from whom could they expect such a ransom; for the youth is neither rich himself nor has he rich relatives, at least not in this country.’
‘May not some of the desperadoes with which the city abounds, have heard of the gallant manner in which the youth rescued you from the flames, and trust to obtain from the generosity of your father a round sum for the ransom of the savior of his daughter.’
Inez admitted the plausibility of this supposition, and inwardly resolving that all her own and her father’s wealth should be expended, if necessary, to release Monteagle, she silently rode towards home.
When Maretzo, leading the horse of Monteagle, and his comrades, had safely passed around the cliff, they found themselves on a clear, crescent-shaped beach of some extent, the opposite end of which was bounded by a rocky headland, similar somewhat to the one they had just rounded, but still farther overhanging the flood that dashed into foam against the huge fragments strewed at its base.
‘We are now safe from pursuit,’ said Maretzo. ‘Even I, would not venture to retrace our steps, now that the tide has risen so much.’
‘Well, old fellow, we had a d—d tight squeeze of it, that’s a fact. I thought at one time we were all going to a place where you wouldn’t have to spend much for fuel for your furnace, eh, Maretzo?’
The Italian merely made some stale joke about the improbability of Blodget’s ever dying by water while there was any rope in the world.
‘How far yet to this cavern?’ inquired Blodget.
‘It’s under yonder head,’ was the reply of the Italian, as the party moved forward.