Nan noticed that the man had a lariat wrapped around his waist, and now he began unwrapping it.
‘We just want to find the way out of here,’ said Rex.
‘Thasso?’ The man seemed amused. He shifted his gaze to Nan.
‘Set down on the rock!’ he snapped harshly. ‘Set down there and set still.’
He shook the last coil of the rope loose, catching the hondo and quickly making his loop. Neither of them had any idea of what he was intending to do. He flipped the twist out of the loop, and with a jerk of his wrist he flung the loop over Rex’s shoulders, yanking it tight. Rex stumbled forward, his arms cinched to his sides, and the man kicked his feet from under him, throwing him heavily.
‘Stay there, damn yuh!’ he snarled. He gave Nan a sharp glance. She had jumped to her feet now, as though intending to help Rex.
‘You stay put,’ warned the man. ‘Set down there!’
Nan sank back on the rock and watched the man deftly hog-tie Rex. He knew ropes, and in a few moments Rex was completely helpless.
‘I reckon that’ll hold you,’ said the man.
‘But what has he ever done to you?’ asked Nan. ‘Why are you tying him up? He never harmed you.’