"You infamous coward," she cried, indignantly, "take that, and that, and that! For shame! To insult a helpless woman who is in your power!"
"Yes, you're in my power, and I'll make you pay dearly for those blows," cried the ruffian, plucking her from the saddle like a feather, and in an instant she was struggling on the ground beside him.
But the man who had held the mare's bridle-rein all the while now interfered sternly.
"Come, come, Bowles, you're transgressing orders. The captain's order is to allow no violence. But of course we'll take the mare."
"And the girl, too," said Bowles, shortly and sharply, still smarting under the indignity of the stinging blows the brave girl had rained upon him so furiously.
"We've no call to take the girl," said the other. "Orders are for animals, not persons. Turn her loose, and let her walk home."
"No," said Bowles, with an oath, "I'll give her a scare, anyway. I'll take her to the captain, and he shall say what punishment she merits. I'll not let her go! My head and face are burning with the jade's blows!"
"I will not go with you!" Jaquelina cried out, trying to break from his tight clasp. "You have no right to detain me! Let me go at once!"
But her struggles and cries were silenced effectually by a stout handkerchief the man bound over her mouth.