“And this is my answer,� I said furiously, leveling my pistol at him. “Get back, you villain, or you will have looked your last on life.�
“But the flag of truce,� he cried, dropping his weapon in surprise.
“It is not meant to cover such propositions as yours. As for the treasure, you shall have it when you can get it.�
As I spoke he sprang behind the tree and motioned to his men to fire, but I was too quick for him, and we were safely behind the walls of the cave when the sound of the reports came to us. I had carried my mistress there before me in my unceremonious backward rush.
“It was bravely said,� began my lady, “but if I were not here, you—�
I laughed.
“You are here and if you were not they would murder me like a sheep when they had got out of me all they wanted.�
“Yes,� said she, “I suppose so. Now what is to be done?�
“The next move,� said I, “is with them.�
“Shall we go further back into the cave?�