He would as willingly punish a girl, as a boy, and the fact that his captive was smaller than he, only proved that the task would be an easy one.
"You think it's smart to imitate, and it is. P'raps you think you're the echo that's over in the mountain!" he sneered.
"Say! Let her off!" cried Jack Tiverton. "She's only a girl!"
The smallest boy in the crowd, he saw Sidney's cowardice.
"Oh, are you sweet on Floretta?" jeered Sidney.
Jack drew back abashed. He did not like Floretta at all, but he did think it mean for a big boy to frighten so small a girl.
"I ain't going to hurt you," said Sidney, "but I'm going to give you a chance to play echo, till you're tired of it. I guess you'll get enough of it before you get through!
"Come, fellows! Get some good long pieces of wild grape-vine! I'll fasten Miss Echo where she can shout all day, and nobody'll stop her!"
"I won't go with you!" screamed Floretta, who had found her voice, "You sha'n't tie me!"
"Oh, is that so?" said Sidney, in a teasing tone. "We'll tie you so you can't get away!"
"No, you don't!" said Sidney, grasping her arm with a firmer hold.
"Now, walk right along, or these other fellows will help me carry you!" he added, and Floretta thought best to walk.
"Right there," said Sidney. "That rock is just covered with vines that cling fast to it. Hurry, now! Pull down some long, strong pieces! Here, you scratch like a cat! Stop that!"
Floretta, half wild to get away, was attacking his hand in the manner of a little wild animal.
"Not much!" cried Sidney, and with the help of another boy, he dragged her, screaming and kicking, all the way, until they reached the rocky ledge.
"There, now! Hold on! You're showing too much temper!" cried a stout lad who was helping to bind her.
"I won't stay! You sha'n't tie me!" she screamed, but without replying, they drew the tough vines closer about her, lashing her into such a network of stems and stout vines that it would be impossible for her to escape.
"There!" cried Sidney, when he felt sure that she was securely made a little prisoner, "You can shout till you're tired, and if you want to mock any one, you can mock yourself! Good-afternoon, Miss Echo!"
He lifted his cap, with elaborate courtesy, and marched off whistling: