The young woman stood at some distance away, wringing her hands, but afraid to say any further word for fear that Captain Joaquin would carry out his more terrible threat.
All were silent, and the fire was fanned until at last the shoe began to take on the color of the flame.
"How hot do you want et, captain?" one of the scoundrels asked.
"That will do," was the answer. "How will you handle it, though? A stick will do, however."
"Yes, or a rifle barrel. Say when you are ready, and we'll give him sech a brand as will identify him hereafter when we meet him down below. Ha! ha! ha! ha!"
"Get ready."
"All ready, cap'n."
"One moment, then. Susana?"
He called out to the young woman.
"I hear you, Joaquin."