Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey. Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was a steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with his pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.
We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what detained Caesar.
“Do you think the rascal has played us false?” said Roderick.
“He would be afraid to.”
“This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to pay five thousand dollars.”
“He wouldn’t dare. He knows what would happen to him,” said John grimly.
“Then why should he be so long?”
“That I can’t tell.”
“Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have trusted him too far.”
“I am with you!”