"But perhaps Will isn't treated as the others are," suggested Betty,
giving the woman a look she understood. "He went there under different
circumstances than the others, and he may receive consideration."
"Of course I don't know all the circumstances," went on Mrs. Belton as
she nodded at Betty to show that she would be more careful in what she
said. "He may be favored. Of course not all the contractors are cruel,
but they have to deal with a bad class of men, and that makes them
harsh, perhaps. But take my advice, and don't go near one of those
places under any circumstances. Please don't!"
"Don't go where?" asked her husband, coming in at that moment with Mr.
Hammond. "Are the girls thinking of going cruising among the
Everglades?" and he laughed heartily. Betty was beginning to like him
very much, as were the other girls. He was rough, and uncouth, but he
seemed honest and sincere, and his wife, a hard-working woman, had given
of her best hospitality to the visitors.
"No, they weren't talking of the Everglades," said Mrs. Belton. "This
young lady thinks her brother may have been taken to one of the
turpentine camps, or other camps in the interior, and she wants to
rescue him.
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