Miss Starland now took the hand of her brother and dropped lightly to the ground.
“It was quite interesting, Jack: I hope you weren’t scared.”
“My heart was in my mouth; I gave you up; if you had gone over, it would have been your own fault.”
“But I didn’t go over.”
Martella seized the bridle, pulling so hard that the pony’s head was drawn horizontal. A rod or two and they reached the broadening path and turned abruptly off among the trees and undergrowth. Where the vegetation was so profuse and dense, a little way was sufficient to hide them from any one passing over the path.
As always, Martella assumed the lead, the horse still reluctantly following with the others around and behind him. Suddenly the beast refused to go farther.
“What’s the trouble?” asked the Major.
“Something has frightened him,” suggested Captain Guzman.
The guide was savagely stamping. Then he stopped and tugged again at the rein. The horse dragged back but allowed himself to be drawn a little farther. All came to a pause, grouping themselves together, where one was hardly visible to the others.
“What was it?” asked the Major, in a whisper, of Martella.