“Yes, father,” said the girl; and, as the planter turned off to lead the way, Nic caught the lass’s eyes; for she began to make quick movements of her lips, and her eyes almost spoke as she pointed towards the river and signed to them to go.
Nic gave her an intelligent nod, and followed Pete after the planter into the great, barn-like place which had been their prison for the night when they were there before; but as he passed the door he noticed the great wooden bar turning upon a bolt, and fully realised that the girl’s signs were those of warning, for treachery was meant.
“Nice and cool in here,” said the man. “Sit ye down on the corn-husks there. My gal will soon be back with the water; and I wouldn’t be long, if I were you, in case Master Saunders should come down the river, for when he asked me if you two was here I couldn’t tell a lie about it, could I?”
“No,” growled Pete. “That would be a pity.”
“Ay; it would. But he’d know you was both here by the boat. Where did you tie it up?”
“Just at the bottom there, by the trees,” said Nic, to whom these words were addressed.
“Ah, ’tis the best place,” said the man, halting by the door, and standing aside to make room for the young men to pass. “In with you. It’s better than being in the hot sun. Seems a bit dark; but it’s cooler to have your dinner there. Well,” he continued, “why don’t you go in? The dogs are not here.”
“Because it looks like a trap, sir,” said Nic firmly. “Do you want to shut us up there, and keep us prisoners till your neighbour comes?”
“Yes, I do,” cried the planter fiercely as he stepped back, and with one motion brought down and cocked his piece, which he presented at the young man’s breast. “In with you both, or I’ll shoot you like dogs!”
He raised his gun to his shoulder and drew the trigger; but it was too late. Nic had sprung forward, striking up the barrel; and, as the mother and daughter shrieked aloud from the house door, there was a sharp report, which set the dogs baying furiously from the shed in which they were fastened.