“By all means. We need as large a force as can be quickly mustered.”
They were upstairs again before this conversation was ended, and Mr. Dartmoor, hastening to his wife, reassured her the best he could.
“I do not apprehend any harm will befall the girls, aside from a rough ride,” he said. “Those marauders want money, that’s all.”
“You will pay them?”
“Yes, of course I will, should it be necessary; but I don’t think it will be.”
“Hurry, then; oh, do hurry!”
“We will be off as soon as the horses come. It will be all right then for me to go and leave Captain Saunders with you, dear?”
“Yes, yes. I really do not need any one—but if the captain could stay, I should like to have him.”
“I am very glad that I can be of any service,” said Carl’s father. “And let me assure you, Mrs. Dartmoor, that I feel convinced your daughter and Señorita Caceras will soon be recovered.”
Meanwhile the men who were to go were making hurried preparations, casting aside coats and vests, and donning flowing ponchos; also exchanging shoes for high boots. Mr. Dartmoor went into the boys’ room and gathered an armful of articles, which he thought his sons would need, and which he carried downstairs so they might lose no time in getting ready for the road.