José made no move to enter, “Who are you?” he demanded again. “Who tied you?”
“Two señoritas tie me up. Then that man take them away—and leave me here to die. Release me! I kill him!”
Immediately José knew that this must be the man who had stolen Carlitos. “Where is the boy—Carlitos? What have you done with him?” he demanded sharply.
“El jefe take him. Release me and I go kill el jefe. He no give me the money he promised. And he leave me here for the animals to eat.”
“Did he take the señoritas to the mine?”
“Sí—I think so.”
After José had asked him a few more questions the man promised to show him a short cut to the mine so they could overtake the boss and his prisoners. “I help you get the señoritas and the boy.” Convinced, finally, that the man was in earnest, José quickly untied the rope that bound him and coiled it over his arm.
A few minutes later the two men set off together down the steep, rocky mountain side.
CHAPTER XIX
A DARING PLAN
In spite of all Jo Ann’s efforts to slow their progress down the trail, she met with little success. Every time she slowed her horse the boss would ride up close behind and strike her horse with his quirt.