Startled by the unexpected move, Jesse and his men trained their revolvers on the opening, wondering in their hearts how their retreat had been located.
The position of the girls was dangerous in the extreme. Yet not till they caught sight of a pistol barrel did they realize it.
Quickly recovering, however, Susie said in a voice loud enough for her brother to hear:
"Put the towels in first, Marjorie. They'll deaden the touching on the bricks of the pitcher."
Recognizing the voice of his sister, the world-famous desperado lowered his weapon and crept toward the cubby-hole.
"Have Jeff get horses for us and hold 'em in front of the next house. We can't stay here any longer, we'll die.
"When the nags are ready come and open this door. We'll leave our beards here.
"Now, hurry!"
Not pausing to argue, though they deemed the risk of the dash for liberty Jesse's words disclosed as his plan, foolhardy, the girls hurriedly replaced the little door and went down to the kitchen.