Quickly Hal stepped behind the prisoner and out of sight of the strangers, his revolver was pressed into Nicolas' back.
"No foolishness," he said in a low voice.
"Rather risky for you in these parts, isn't it, Nicolas?" said another of the strangers.
Nicolas heeded Hal's advice.
"I'm with friends," he returned. "There are enough of us here to look out for ourselves."
"Where are you bound?"
"Not far. I have a little business a couple of miles farther on."
"Want any company?"
Nicolas hesitated a moment and there came a queer gleam into his eye. And before Hal could say a word, he replied:
"Well, you can come along if you want to."