She clung to the desperate hope that
they might meet some one on the road, when she could cry out and
give the alarm. She held herself in readiness for this, but
there was only the steady pounding of the big bays as Jim with
voice and whip urged them forward. At last he abruptly checked
them, and Bunker and Slosson sprang from their seats.
"Get down, ma'am!" said the latter.
"Where are you taking me?" asked Betty, in a voice that shook in
spite of her efforts to control it.
"You must hurry, ma'am," urged Slosson impatiently.
"I won't move until I know where you intend taking me!" said
Betty, "If I am to die--"
Mr. Slosson laughed loudly and indulgently.
"You ain't. If you don't want to walk, I'm man enough fo' to
tote you. We ain't far to go, and I've tackled jobs I'd a heap
less heart fo' in my time," he concluded gallantly. From the
opposite side of the carriage Bunker swore nervously. He desired
to know if they were to stand there talking all night. "Shut
your filthy mouth, Bunker, and see you keep tight hold of that
young rip-staver," said Slosson. "He's a perfect eel--I've had
dealings with him afore!"
"You tried to kill my Uncle Bob--at the tavern, you and Captain
Murrell. I heard you, and I seen you drag him to the river!"
cried Hannibal.
Slosson gave a start of astonishment at this.
"Why, ain't he hateful?" he exclaimed aghast. "See here, young
feller, that's no kind of a way fo' you to talk to a man who has
riz his ten children!"
Again Bunker swore, while Jim told Slosson to make haste.
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