“Hush, Louisa,” came peremptorily from Christine.
“He might as well have the truth. They’ll hang him as high as Haman and you know it,” said Louisa stoutly.
“Well, but do wait till he is better.”
“Oh, he’s all right. His head aches, maybe, but he’ll git over that by the time they are through with him.”
“Louisa, you are perfectly heartless.”
“Where was his heart when he came stealing Hero? See here, Mr. Man, whoever you are, you keep yourself quiet. You can’t get away. Every one of us is a good shot, so you’d better make up your mind to take it easy while you can. If you want to go to sleep, we’ll watch. If you try to escape you know what’s waiting for ye. Now make the best of it.” She took a station not far from him, grimly holding a pistol. Pedro had returned and was on guard in the gallery. Christine and Alison snuggled together in a corner. In a half hour the prisoner was sleeping quietly. Louisa, wide awake, kept a ceaseless watch.
CHAPTER VI
FIDGETTY LOU MAKES A DISCOVERY
THE first gleam of the morning sun awakened the wounded man. Its beams fell full upon the red locks of Louisa, and shone upon her round face now pale from her vigil. She had not discarded the pistol, though she was weary and heavy-eyed. As the man’s gaze was directed to the girl keeping watch he regarded her with interest. “What’s your name?” he presently snapped out.
“Louisa Sparks,” she answered, collecting her scattered thoughts.
The man turned his head sharply though the effort made him wince with pain. He uttered an exclamation under his breath. “Where you from?” was his second question.