"My lord," he cried, "we shall be murdered. Have mercy, for the sake of Heaven, and bind us. Then they will know that we harboured the 'poor lads' unwillingly."
"You have a kind face, my sweet master," added the trembling woman; "may your heart match it."
I thought the proposed stratagem a clumsy one; but the poor people were in such deadly earnest that I took the rope and proceeded to tie the woman.
In the midst of it the door was flung open violently, and quick as thought I drew my pistol and covered the intruder.
It was the outlaw, who had come to seek me.
"Well," cried he; "of all the fools!" Then, checking himself, he got another coil of rope and bound the inn-keeper deftly.
"One makes more," said he, finishing as soon as I. "Come on. There's no time for philanthropy. The men are howling with impatience, and Count Beula's nearly off his head."
The band was mounted, and one of them at his leader's command had saddled my horse.
They looked a rough set with their lances and loaded axes and lassos, which they carried before them on their saddles.
The chief sprang into his seat; I followed suit, and off we went--Count Beula well to the fore.