Page:Mistress Madcap Surrenders (1926).pdf/200

 "Feet tied! Arms tied behind ye! And gagged!" She checked them off and looked around her despairingly. Smoke was now billowing and swirling up from the pile of wood in ever-increasing spirals. "I have no knife!" Then, as a gurgle came from Freeman's lips, she raised his head and tugged at the kerchief which thrust open his mouth. To her joy, the knots gave way—Hawtree having tied them more carelessly, figuring that, with hands and feet tied, Captain Freeman would have no means to reach the gag.

"Take a stick and burn the knots on my hands!" directed the young officer as soon as the gag was out of his mouth.

Mehitable shrank back. "Nay, I dare not! I might burn ye!"

"Do as I bid you!" He spoke so sternly that, from sheer surprise, Mehitable picked up a burning stick of wood and carried it over to the pallet. But it was too tedious a job. The hemp refused to burn at once. And already the thick smoke had them choking and gasping.

"The pistol—fire it and the ball will cut the knot on my wrist an ye hold it steady!" panted the man.

Mehitable wrung her hands. "It is empty!" she cried. "The pistol be not loaded!"

"And ye dared to come up here unarmed!" His eyes gave her homage. "Gad, ye be brave, little Mistress Madcap!"