[Chapter IV]
Captive
Linda and her companions stopped in front of a large tent that was dimly lighted within by a lantern. Two men were standing inside—one bending over an oil cook-stove, the other at the door.
"We got Linda!" announced "Slats" triumphantly. "Without even smashing her plane!"
He pushed through the doorway, past the other man, and deposited Susie on a cot by the wall of the tent.
The man at the stove, a big, fat, repulsive looking brute, turned around and uttered an ugly, "Hah!"
"Susie hurt?" inquired the tall, thin man who had been standing at the edge of the tent.
"Yeah. Crashed her plane. I've got some scratches meself, but I ain't whinin'!"
"My ankle's broken!" sobbed Susie, unable to suffer any longer in silence. "Hurry up and get some bandages, Doc!"