"
Ida shuddered at this fearful threat, terrible to a child of nine.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes," said the child, faintly.
"For fear you might be tempted to break your promise, I have
something to show you."
She went to the cupboard, and took down a large pistol.
"There," she said, "do you see that?"
"Yes, Aunt Peg."
"What is it?"
"It is a pistol, I believe."
"Do you know what it is for?"
"To shoot people with," said Ida, fixing her eyes on the weapon, as
if impelled by a species of fascination.
"Yes," said the woman; "I see you understand. Well, now, do you know
what I would do if you should tell anybody where you came from, or
attempt to run away? Can you guess now?"
"Would you shoot me?" asked the child, struck with terror.
"Yes, I would," said Peg, with fierce emphasis. "That's just what
I'd do. And what's more," she added, "even if you got away, and got
back to your family in New York. I would follow you and shoot you
dead in the street."
"You wouldn't be so wicked!" exclaimed Ida, appalled.
"Wouldn't I, though?" repeated Peg, significantly. "If you don't
believe I would, just try it. Do you think you would like to try
it?"
"No," said the child, with a shudder.
"Well, that's the most sensible thing you've said yet. Now, that you
have got to be a little more reasonable, I'll tell you what I am
going to do with you.
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