Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/165

 "‘I don't know why we took anybody besides Monmouth fer,' declared the leader, stopping short and eying us evilly. 'Before this queer spell come on I don't remember as we had any call ter rescue anybody but Monmouth.'

"‘Let's kill th' other two,' suggested a corn-haired boy, cheerfully.

"‘Hold!' roared Tib. 'These two men we all wot of are leal and true. Who touches a hair of their gray heads—'

"‘I snum, but ye're touchy, I guess!' broke in the corn-haired youth. 'I only want ter do what's right. If ye don't want 'em killed, say so. I didn't think 'twould make no difference. I'm sartain no one would miss either on 'em.'

"We were now clear of the main street and apparently leaving the settlement. I had an idea of dodging into the bushes and escaping, but Tib whispered we would accomplish nothing except to alienate our few faithful followers. 'Taunton will receive us warmly,' he added, and I shuddered. He said it so earnestly that I feared his intellect was looping the loop, and I'm sure the drummer felt the noose. Then our adopted parents quickened the pace and conversation was killed by the high hill we now began to climb. It seemed as if we'd been on that hill for years. In pausing to look back on the lights of the village it seemed as if