“John,” said Jess presently, “can we do anything?”
“Nothing, dear.”
“Shall we escape, John?”
He hesitated. “It is in God’s hands, dear. We are in great danger. If the cart upsets we shall be drowned. Can you swim?”
“No, John.”
“If we can hang on here till daylight we may get ashore, if those devils are not there to shoot us. I do not think that our chance is a good one.”
“John, are you afraid to die?”
He hesitated. “I don’t know, dear. I hope to meet it like a man.”
“Tell me what you truly think. Is there any hope for us at all?”
Once more he paused, reflecting whether or no he should speak the truth. Finally he decided to do so.