He struck him again. Ralph took it with set teeth.
"Are you going to tell me where the girl is hidden, and the gold?"
asked Joe.
Ralph kept silent.
"Answer me!" shouted Joe.
"That's a fool's question," said Ralph.
Joe dug his knuckles into Ralph's shoulder, and leaning the weight of
his body on his arm, kneaded the throbbing place. Ralph had never
conceived of pain like this. It turned him sick; cold perspiration
sprang out all over him. He felt consciousness beginning to slip. He
bit his lip to keep from betraying any sound.
The other men began to remonstrate. "You'll do for him," said Stack,
"and we won't learn anything."
Joe left off with a shrug. "I have all night," he said,
They set about getting their supper.