“It will not be well to provoke them needlessly,” said Walter Cunningham. “You may tell them that we cannot give them five thousand scudi,” he added addressing the vetturino.
The bandits held a conference, but it was not prolonged. Evidently they were incensed at the contumacy of their victims.
After the conference, during which the three travelers were very anxious, they spoke to Pasquale, who communicated their decision.
“They say you must either make arrangements to pay the five thousand scudi, or go with them.”
“Where in thunder do they mean to carry us, Pasquale?”
“I don’t know. They would not tell if I asked them.”
“Tell them to take us along, then,” said Mr. Sanderson, leaning back in his seat and nodding obstinately.
Walter Cunningham seemed to acquiesce, and the answer was returned.
Immediately one of the bandits took his seat beside the vetturino and took the reins from him. The other two walked beside the carriage. The party turned off from the main road, and entered a lane leading up the hill to the left.
“Well, boys, we’re in for it, I s’pose,” said Amos Sanderson. “It’s too bad, I vow. Such things couldn’t be done in America under the Stars and Stripes.”