What had come to pass? Was a revolution about to arise? for when she signified she was very hungry, Duncan stirred hastily about, actually glad of a chance to cook. Mind that—actually glad. As all were hungry, he was forced to call upon the men for assistance, services which they gladly rendered, and soon the savory odor of cooking filled the cave.
“So he gave you enough to eat, did he, my daughter?” asked Mr. Wheeler, gazing fondly into her face.
“Oh, yes, plenty; and a warm, soft blanket to sit upon; and he was kind, too—only sometimes he would rave to himself, stricken by remorse.”
“Did he maltreat you in any manner?” fiercely demanded Carpenter.
“Oh, no, not at all. He was away most of the time; and when he was present he always kept busy counting a splendid—oh, so lovely!—treasure he had; all gold, and jewels and ornaments—an immense sum they must be worth.”
“That is what brought Pedro here, then,” remarked Sam; “he has the bag, now, outside, where he is guarding the Trailer.”
“Oh, Pedro was so good to me. When he went out to tell you I was here, that horrid man stole in by a secret passage, snatched the bag from a small hole, then put out the torch and carried me in here. His horse he kept there, and sometimes he would get stubborn and try to kick me; then you should have seen him beat him. Once some Indians tried to cut their way through to us and he shot and killed one.”
“Yes, he lies outside now. We heard the shot, and it mystified us,” remarked Napoleon Robidoux.
“That villain caused us enough trouble,” said Burt. “I’m downright glad he has lost the gold—Pedro has fairly earned it.”
“So he has,” was the cry.