“What do you mean?” Belle demanded, the blood coming to her cheeks like a flame. “You won’t dare take us! We must go home immediately! If my father hears about this, you’re life won’t be worth a plugged nickel!” Unconsciously she had quoted Roy. “Dad’ll kill you!”
Richmond looked at her, a grudging admiration in his eyes.
“Just take it easy, girlie,” he said gently. “Nothin’ is goin’ to happen to you or your friends. You’ll be as safe here as if you were home. This is just a little matter between yore father an’ us, an’ we take this way to settle it. See? But don’t get fretful. We may be rustlers an’ all that, but we’re men. I just want to add one thing.” His eyes narrowed.
“As long as you behave yourselves, you can do pretty much as you please an’ nobody will touch you. But if you try to escape—” He took a heavy gun from his pocket and handed it up to Clovita as she sat on the pony. “Clovita,” he continued sternly, “take a pot shot at that hunk of wood stickin’ out by that rock.”
The gun roared. Wide eyed, the girls looked to where Richmond pointed. The stick had disappeared.
“That white blaze on the tree over there.”
Another roar. A tiny dot appeared in the center of the blaze.
“I guess you girls see she can shoot some. Clovita, you know what I told you. Let ’em ride ahead an’ keep their distance. If they bolt, bring down the horse an’ let ’em walk the rest of the way. If they start to run, just nip ’em a leetle bit. Then you won’t have no more trouble. You know where to head for. We’ll meet you there later.”
He stopped and looked at the girls, who stood by the car, Belle defiant, Ethel frankly trembling, Nell pale, but game.
“I’m sorry to have to do this, but you’ll understand why later,” Richmond went on. “When we hear from yore dad an’ if he answers the way we think he will, you’ll be home right soon. If not—” He shrugged his shoulders. “But I’m not worrying about that. Now, climb aboard, you girls. I guess you all can ride. If not, you’ll have to learn quick. The ponies are gentle an’ won’t buck none. Come on, boys.” He entered the car. From behind the wheel he stuck his head out. “Clove,” he called sharply, “remember what I told you! Don’t let ’em get funny, or you’ll wish you hadn’t! Keep that gun out! Hop in here, you birds. We got to get this car back. Well, girls—” and he grinned and removed his hat—“see you later! So long! Have a nice trip!”