The giant addressed her, for the first time since starting on his water voyage, and Mason could see her tremble at the sound of his rough voice, as if it meant something of horror.
"Come, gal, we leave the creek here. There's a snug little hiding-place I intend taking you to, where there'll be no chance of discovery. Now that you're in my power again, I don't intend losing sight of you. You're in somebody's way, therefore you have to be removed. It depends on yourself how this is to be done. Two ways are open: one, by carrying you off to some foreign land; t'other, leaving you to the mercy of the forest beasts," and the unfeeling giant laughed to himself.
"And they would prove more merciful than such a monster as you," declared Adele, as she stepped from the unsteady boat and faced Red Goliath. How her eyes shone, as they flashed out the scorn born of her soul!
"Bravo! I see the little gal hain't lost her spirit yet. I acknowledge the corn without hesitation; hain't got such a thing as a heart; never had, either. Remember how I used to delight in pinching the wings of butterflies, and running pins through 'em when I was a little boy—which, considering my present size, was a long time ago. So you see, gal, I must be what they call a modern monstrosity, a man without a heart. However, I can say this hain't my doing. I only wanted to get a ransom from your mother; but this other fellow must step into the pie."
"Do you think I can't tell who you mean? It is a fit idea to originate with such a man as Luke Camden," said the girl, in scornful tones.
Red Goliath started, and when he spoke his voice was as gruff as ever.
"Remember, I mention no names. Now, gal, we'll be going. Give me your hand."
Adele drew back with a shudder of horror; willingly she would never touch it.
"I will walk beside you in plain view," she said.
"All right," growled the giant, who could not but notice the shudder and knew its import, and he looked at his hand as if half believing that he would see the red marks that had so often dyed it.