Come, stand up to it; this is better than getting killed, isn't it?
Now here is a nice soft spot to lie on, and I guess you'll remain there for a while.

Do you want me to gag you, or will you keep still ?" "I'll--I'll keep still!" "Well, be sure you do; your life isn't worth a picayune if you raise any row." I arose to my feet, confident the boy had been safely disposed of, and feeling blindly around in the darkness, seeking to locate the stalls.
At that instant a horse neighed outside; then I heard the sound of hoofs pounding on soft soil.

Whoever the fellow was, he was almost there--coming up at a trot, just back of the stables.

My brain worked in a flash--there was but once chance to stave off discovery.

With a bound I was beside the boy, and had jerked off his hat, jamming it down on my own head, as I muttered in his ear, "One word from you now, and you'll never speak again--don't take the chance!" I leaped for the door, and grasped the musket, barely straightening up, as the oncoming horseman swung around the corner.