uplifted hand, and struck Lolla sharply.

"Strike me again!" cried Lolla, furiously. "I have done no wrong! I am
trying only to save you from your own folly. Tell me, at least, where
you have hidden the girl? Would you have her starve? You will be
watched, so that you may not bring her food. Had you thought of that?"

"Will you betray me? If you do not I shall not be watched! They will
know as soon as they look for me that I was in the camp all through the
night. Lolla, you fool, I love you, only you. I want her to win a
ransom. They will pay to have her back, those Americans."

Lolla had guessed right when she had said that this would be his plea.
But Bessie was surprised, and thought Lolla must also wonder at his
telling her such a story. Lolla looked scornfully at John.

"I am no baby that I should believe such a tale as that," she said
witheringly. "I give you your chance, John, your last chance. Will you
take this girl back to her people, or set her free and show her the
road? Or must I bear witness against you, and tell the tribe that you
would shame me by forsaking me even before I am your wife?"

"Let me go," said John furiously. "We shall see if a woman's talk is to
be taken before mine. You fool! Even your brothers will laugh at your
Jealousy, and rejoice with me over the money this girl will bring us.
Let me pass--"

"Tell me, at least, where you have hidden her! She will starve, I tell
you--"