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"This is the situation in a nutshell, to come right down to business," said the former bully of Putnam Hall coolly. "You are our prisoners, and you can't get away, no matter how hard you try. Captain Villaire and his men, as well as myself, are in this affair to make money. The question is, what is your liberty worth to you?" "So you intend to work such a game?" demanded Dick.
At her trial she said she did not see her babe breathe nor cry, and she thought by the sudden birth that it must have been a still-born child. Shortt says that one day, while crossing the esplanade at Villaire, between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, he perceived three Hindoo women with large baskets of cakes of "bratties" on their heads, coming from a village about four miles distant.
Rover and Dick were ready to go out, and they did so, followed by Aleck and preceded by the native woman. As it was dark the Rovers easily concealed their weapons in the bosoms of their coats. They walked past the bamboo addition and to the grove of trees Aleck had mentioned. There they found the Frenchman in conversation with Captain Villaire. "You wish to see me?" demanded Randolph Rover.
Do you realize that you are absolutely in my power? How do you like it?" "It was not you who captured us, Baxter." "Well, it amounts to the same thing, eh, Capitan Villaire?" and the big boy turned to the French brigand, who nodded. "We collared you nicely." "What of Sam and Tom?" asked Randolph Rover anxiously. "Ve will not speak of zem udders," broke in Captain Villaire.
He had his plan all ready, and, after sounding Baxter some more, revealed what was in his mind, which was simply to follow the Rovers into the interior and then make them prisoners. Once this was done, they would hold the prisoners for a handsome ransom. "That's a big job," answered the big youth. "But I like your plan, first-rate if you can carry it out." "Trust me," replied Captain Villaire.
For in the meantime something which was bound to be of great importance to the Rovers had occurred. In Boma were a number of persons of mixed French and native blood who were little better than the old-time brigands of Italy. They were led by a wicked wretch who went by the name of Captain Villaire.
Both gained the end of the fort at the same time and one mighty blow from Cujo's club laid Baxter senseless near the doorway. "Help! help!" The cry came in Dick's voice, and was plainly heard by Sam and Tom. Then Captain Villaire appeared, and a rough and tumble battle ensued, which the Rovers well remember to this day.
In high rage the former bully of Putnam Hall strode forward and without warning struck the defenseless Dick a heavy blow on the cheek. "That, for your impudence," he snarled. "You keep a civil tongue in your head. If you don't " He finished with a shake of his fist. "You had bettair make up your mind to pay ze monish," said Captain Villaire, after a painful pause.
"So I did; but be didn't say he was going to capture you, and I " "We don't care to listen to your falsehoods, Baxter," interrupted Dick sternly. "You are fully as guilty as anybody. You admitted it before." Cujo had gone off to watch Captain Villaire and his party.
"Don't preach I won't listen to it!" fumed the bully. "You have got to pay that money. If you don't well, I don't believe you'll ever reach America alive, that's all." With these words Dan Baxter withdrew, followed by Captain Villaire. "You think za will pay?" queried the French brigand anxiously. "To be sure they will pay. They value their lives too much to refuse.
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