"Thet's our lookout. Mebbe ye air shaky in thet direction, but I can tell yer we air well heeled thet way. Why, th' most' influential citizens o' th' Roads air in with us. There's th' judge, an' the colonel. Then, too, we'll take keer o' Shag. Once more, will yer fall with th' plan, or shall we be 'bliged to take desprit measures with yer?"
Little Snap realized that he was in the power of men who would hesitate at nothing to carry out their unlawful purpose, and he thought of his mother even then anxiously awaiting his return home, and imagined the anguish she would feel upon his failure to come. He thought of his father, so helpless to aid the others, and his younger sister and brother, and the sorrow they would experience. Still, with these sad reflections in his mind, and the dread consequence if he refused to comply with the demands of his captors plainly before him, he hesitated but a moment in his reply.
"I cannot accept your terms."
"Fetch erlong th' rope, boys," ordered Bird Burrnock, tersely. "I reckon 'twon't take us long to change his mind."
CHAPTER XX.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
Buzzard Burrnock quickly entered one of the dark recesses of the cavern, returning a moment later with a coil of rope on his arm.
"Make a loop in one end," commanded the elder Burrnock. "Be lively, too, fer we don't want to fool with him hyur all day."
When the rope had been arranged to their satisfaction, the noose was slipped over Little Snap's shoulders, so the cord encircled his body under the arms.
"Drag him to th' pit!" cried the leader. "Reckon a leetle consideration there'll take th' starch out'n him."
Buzzard Burrnock and Hawk seized hold of the postboy, one on either side, and half dragging him, he was swiftly taken along a winding passage leading from the underground room, until the sharp voice of Bird Burrnock ordered a halt.