inclined to have reason. As it was, we stopped what might have been our
murder by saying it would be wiser to hold us as hostages, and that we
were Americans. That man was killed--by you. A shot from your pistol
brought him down as he rushed forward to enter the ruins. But he took
care of us as we went forward, and when I shot one of his followers for
laying his hand upon me in the saddle--he caught me by the leg under my
skirt--he would allow no retaliation. I knew boldness was the safe part
to play.

"But in the end we were bound with ropes as you found us, while they
waited for more of their people to come, those, no doubt, you found
ambushed on the hill. As we lay, bound as you saw us, the leader said
to us we should be safe if he could have his way, but there were bad
elements among the Maroons, and he could not guarantee it. Yet he knew
the government would pay for our release, would perhaps give the land
for which they had asked with no avail. We must, therefore, remain
prisoners. If we made no efforts to escape, it would be better in the
end. 'Keep your head steady, missy, try no tricks, and all may go well;
but I have bad lot, and they may fly at you.' That was the way he spoke.
It made our blood run cold, for he was one man, with fair mind, and he
had around him men, savage and irresponsible. Black and ruthless, they
would stop at nothing except the sword at their throats or the teeth in
their flesh."

"The teeth in their flesh!" said Dyck with a grim smile. "Yes, that is
the only way with them. Naught can put the fear of God into them except
bloodhounds, and that Lord Mallow will not have. He has been set against
it until now. But this business will teach him. He may change his mind
now, since what he cares for is in danger--his place and his ladies!"

Mrs. Llyn roused herself to say: "No, no, Mr. Calhoun, you must not say
that of him. His place may be in danger, but not his ladies. He has no
promise of that.... And see, Mr. Calhoun, I want to say that, in any
case, you have paid your debt, if you owe one to us. For a life taken
you have given two lives--to me and my girl. I speak as one who has
a right to say it! Erris Boyne was naught to me at all, but he was my
daughter's father, and that made everything difficult. I could make him
cease to be my husband, and I did; but I could not make him cease to be
her father."

"I had no love for Erris Boyne," said Sheila. Misery was heavy on her.
"None at all, b