“We have to leave now, sorry as you are to see us go,” he said, grinning. “But remember this—two of us will be on guard all night at the door of this cave. If any of you try to get out—” his eyes glittered dangerously—“you’ll wish you hadn’t, that’s all. Clove, here, will get you anything you want in the line of food. She knows where the grub an’ water is. As for beds—” he motioned toward the rude cots. “This ain’t no hotel, an’ you’ll have to make out the best you can. The sooner yore dad comes through, the sooner you’ll be out of here. We’ll send him a note to-morrow or the next day—give him a little time to think it over first. In the meanwhile, as long as you girls behave, you’ll be safe. If you don’t—well, that’s up to you. Come on, boys—we vamose. Adios, señoritas! Hasta mañana!”
He was gone. The old woman walked slowly over to the table and casually picked up the gun Ethel had thrown there. She carried it to one of the couches and tossed it down as though it was of no consequence. Then, shuffling across the cave, she disappeared into the other room.
The three girls, with heavy hearts, watched her depart. Escape seemed impossible, and even rescue appeared unthinkable in this dismal cave. Ethel struggled hard against tears, and succeeded for a time in holding them back. Belle and Nell themselves were not far from weeping. Outside, the sun was casting its last rays on the walls of the canyon, but those within the cavern knew nothing of this. They were held in a rocky jail, and guarding them were two outlaws who would not hesitate to shoot if the prisoners tried to escape. Small wonder that hope departed from them and for the first time they clung together, at length finding relief in the tears which had been for so long repressed.
Until far in the night the three girls sat on one of the cots, huddled close. The supper they had been given was coarse, but there was plenty of it. Yet they could not have eaten much had the meal been a royal banquet. It is impossible to feast when a lump keeps coming into one’s throat and tears to the eyes.
But as time went on, and they still remained unmolested, they took heart again and conversed more cheerfully. True, it was lonesome and cold in the cave. But to-morrow, surely, help would come. To-morrow—that seemed so far away, looking now into the blackness of the cave. Even the friendly stars were hidden from them!
But morning came at last, and with it hope. Clovita, who had slept near them, greeted them with a toothless smile and informed them that breakfast would soon be ready. With shudders, they disclaimed any desire to eat, but when they saw the food before them their appetites conquered and they fell to with a will. About two hours after sunrise Richmond appeared and suggested they “come out an’ get a breath of fresh air.”
Realizing that they must preserve their strength, the girls walked slowly to the mouth of the cave. The canyon was drenched with the morning sun, and it seemed impossible that any villainy could exist amid such pleasant surroundings. Belle caught Richmond watching her with an amused smile on his lips, as though he read her thoughts, and she turned her back on him coolly.
“As you please,” he said shortly, as he walked toward one of his companions. “Like it or not—you stay here until we hear from yore dad. We send the note to-morrow, askin’ fer a certain amount of money. And if you’re wise, you’ll hope he sends it, pronto! We’ve got to get paid for the time we spent in jail, due to your respected parent’s activities,” and he grinned again sardonically.
“You’ll not get dad to send you any money!” Belle exclaimed hotly. “The only thing he’ll send you will be hot lead!”
For a moment Richmond looked at her, then he laughed.