"Oh, I often played bandit with my brothers, but never with a stranger
before. Aren't you afraid? Don't you want to say your prayers?"

"I've forgotten them," he said with a smile. "Guess I forgot them when
I started in at this--the two don't hitch."

"Not exactly," and Dorothy was fixing the rope more tightly. "But you
did know some once. I can tell."

"How?" he asked.

"Because you don't swear. Didn't even when you cut your hand. How is
it?"

"Sore," he replied. "Please don't pass the rope over the bandage."

"I won't," answered Dorothy with some tenderness.

The humor of the situation was apparent to both of them.

Dorothy, however, was determined not to relent, she would hold him a
prisoner, she decided, until she found the boys. They would know best
what to do. Certainly such a desperado was unsafe to be at large.

"Are you going to make the fire now?" he asked, in a mocking tone.

"No, I am just going to jump on my horse and leave you here to think
of your sins. I am sure you will be here when I come back."

"Oh please, miss, don't go for the police," he begged, tears welling