At last they came out on a wide bayou; a white mist hung above it, and on the low shore leaf and branch were dripping with the night dews.

Keeping close to the water's edge Slosson led the way to a point where a skiff was drawn up on the bank.
"Step in, ma'am," he said, when he had launched it.
"I will go no farther!" said Betty in desperation.

She felt an overmastering fear, the full horror of the unknown lay hold of her, and she gave a piercing cry for help.

Slosson swung about on his heel and seized her.

For a moment she struggled to escape, but the man's big hands pinioned her.
"No more of that!" he warned, then he recovered himself and laughed.
"You could yell till you was black in the face, ma'am, and there'd be no one to hear you." "Where are you taking me ?" and Betty's voice faltered between the sudden sobs that choked her.
"Just across to George Hicks's." "For what purpose ?" "You'll know in plenty of time." And Slosson leered at her through the darkness.
"Hannibal is to go with me ?" asked Betty tremulously.
"Sure!" agreed Slosson affably.