them except that occasionally a tangled head would be thrust
in to hurl some taunt at them.

Darkness fell and they still lay there, suffering terrible pain from
their wounds and bonds.

"This is the uttermost limit," declared Roy, in a low tone; "we're in
the worst fix we ever got into this time."

"We certainly are. What a bit of bad luck that the rascal Beppo came up
when he did! That other gipsy had no idea who we were."

"Well, I had the satisfaction of giving Master Beppo a good black eye,"
muttered Roy.

"Yes; that was a peach. It did me good to see it land."

"It landed all right. Ouch, my back feels as if it was broken."

"My wrists and ankles are awfully sore. I wonder if they mean to let us
loose or give us anything to eat."

"Well, we won't last long at this rate. I guess they mean to be as cruel
as they can to us in return for that punch I gave Beppo."

"I wouldn't have spoken to you again if you hadn't."

"I don't blame you."

It grew dark. Outside they heard the murmur of voices for a time and
then all became quiet. Just before silence fell and snores became
audible they heard the man on duty as their guard call for some coffee
to keep by his side during the night.

"I'll send that brat of a Wren to you with it directly," they heard
Beppo's wife reply; "the little beast, it'll do her good to work."

Then came the sound of a slap and a sob.

The boys' blood boiled.

"Oh, what wouldn't I give to have Master Beppo in a twenty-four-foot
ring," breathed Roy.

"I think he'd look well decorating a tree," grated out Jimsy viciously.

The night wore on, but the boys did not sleep. Their tight bonds and
worry over their situation prevented this.

All at once Roy's attention was attracted by somebody raising the flap
at the back of the tent. Next something crawled in. At first he thought
it was a large dog.

But then came a whisper:

"It's me, Wren."

"What are you doing here?"

"Hush, I've come to get you free. You'll take me with you, won't you?"

"Of course; what a question to ask! But how can you free us?"

"I've got a knife here. I'll cut those ropes in a minute."

"But the guard outside?"

"I've fixed him. Was it very wrong of me? While Mother Beppo wasn't
looking I put some of the stuff in that coffee I brought him."

[Illustration: "I'd do anything for you." said the child, as she rapidly
cut the ropes.]

"Well, upon my word, Wren! What sort of stuff?" gasped Jimsy.

"O