“We’ve got to get Carlitos away from that man right away,” Jo Ann whispered excitedly.
“But José isn’t here to——”
“I’m afraid to wait for him. That man might leave with Carlitos before he gets back. I’m going to get the rope and pistol out of the saddle-bag, and we can capture that man ourselves.”
“Oh, but, Jo!” Florence’s voice was filled with horror.
“All you’ll have to do’ll be to hold the gun on him while I tie him.”
“Oh, Jo! Let’s wait for José.”
“No. You wait here while I get the things.”
Without waiting to hear Florence’s whispered protest, she hurried back to the horses and returned with the pistol and rope.
As she handed Florence the pistol she whispered, “Don’t get so excited you forget to throw off the safety. As soon as I fix my rope, we’ll be ready.”
She hastily tied a slipknot in the rope, then ordered, “Come on. Stay right behind me and hold that gun on the man. We’ll wait till it thunders again, so he won’t hear us.”