But the other insisted that Dick should be gagged, and this they finally and quickly did. With his arms bound behind him and a gag between his teeth, he was lifted to his feet and forced into the depth of the thicket. The Mexican, who was called Tony, seemed to know a path through the chaparral, although it was dim and indistinct, and this they followed.
Thus it happened that when Felicia missed Dick and turned back she found no trace of him. On through the thick chaparral they threaded their way, now and then crouching low to push through thorny branches, their progress necessarily being slow. For a long time they tramped on, coming finally to an opening.
Several horses were grazing there. No time was lost in placing the captive boy on the back of a horse and fastening his feet together beneath the animal’s belly. Already it was growing dusky, but those men knew the course they would pursue. The Mexican and Mat mounted one animal and followed Dick, while the biggest man of the party, who had once been addressed as Dillon, now took the lead.
Starry night came as they still pushed on, but they had left the chaparral behind and were on the trackless plain. Finally it was decided that the captive should be blindfolded. By this time his jaws were aching, and he was greatly relieved when the gag was removed. They seemed to think there was little danger of his cries being heard should he venture to shout for help. Dick did not shout; he felt the folly of it.
Long hours they rode, and the bandage over the boy’s eyes prevented him from telling what course they followed. At last they halted. The cords about his ankles were released, and he was unceremoniously dragged from the saddle to the ground. Following this, he was marched into some sort of a building. There at last the bandage was removed from his eyes, and even his arms were set free. Dillon and Mat were with him. The Mexican had been left to care for the horses.
“Now, kid,” said the big man, “you makes yourself comfortable as you can. Don’t worry none whatever; you’re all safe here. Nothing troubles you, and we looks out for you. Oh, yes, we looks out for you.”
“Why have you brought me here?” asked Dick.
“We lets you guess at that a while. It amuses you perhaps, and passes away the time.”
“If my brother finds out who did this——”
“Now, don’t talk that way!” cried Mat. “We don’t bother with your brother any. We does our business with other parties.”