We held a brief discussion as to what to do with our prisoners until
morning, a discussion which Tish solved with her usual celerity by
cutting from the saddles which lay round the fire a number of those
leather thongs with which such saddles are adorned and which are used in
case of necessity to strap various articles to the aforesaid saddles.
With these thongs we tied them, not uncomfortably, but firmly, their
hands behind them and their feet fastened together. Then, as the night
grew cold, Tish suggested that we shove them near the fire, which we
did.
The young lady, however, offered a more difficult problem. We
compromised by giving her her freedom, but arranging for one of our
number to keep her covered with a revolver.
"You needn't be so thoughtful," she said angrily, and with a total lack
of appreciation of Tish's considerate attitude. "I'd rather be tied,
especially if the Moslem with the hay fever is going to hold the gun."
It was at that moment that we heard a whistle from across the stream,
and each of the prostrate men raised his head eagerly. Before Tish could
interfere one of them had whistled three times sharply, probably a
danger signal.
Without a word Tish turned and ran toward the stream, calling to me to
follow her.
"Tish!" I heard Aggie's agonized tone. "Lizzie! Come back. Don't leave
me here alone. I--"
Here she evidently clutched the revolver involuntarily, for there was a
sharp report, and a bullet struck a tree near us.
Tish paused and turned. "Point that thing up into the air, Aggie," she
called back. "And stay there. I hold you responsible."