“Ge-long to thunderation! A hull nestfull—any more?” spluttered Ruel, amazed.
“No,” then adding, quickly. “Now I have told you all, you will set me free?”
“Not much—sca’cely. How d’ we know but it’s all a pesky lie, jist hatched up as you went along? No, sir; your part o’ the barg’in don’t end ontel a’ter you show us this wonderful hole in the ground, an’ we see how matters railly stan’.”
“Come,” said Hawksley, in a strained, unnaturally still voice, “we are losing time here; let us be riding.”
“Co-rect. Git yer horses, boys. I’ll ketch one fer this chap. He’s got to show us the hole, or I’ll know the why.”
Mestayer was mounted upon one of the spare horses, and tied firmly to the saddle. Ruel rode beside him, while Hawksley led the way at a rapid rate.
The ten miles were soon covered, and the party found themselves at the baranca. Dismounting, they silently approached the spot indicated by Mestayer.
CHAPTER XI.
A DOUBLE SURPRISE.
For a time Ned Campbell remained silent, deep-buried in thought. The temptation was strong, and he was slowly yielding to it.
Lola watched him closely, and as her keen eye, sharpened by love the most intense and passionate, read the quick changes of his handsome countenance, her heart beat high with hope that he was about to consent. The inward conflict sickened her, and she staggered like one drunken, as she rose, muttering, in a husky, unnatural voice: