He had been laughed at by the owner of the voice that had mocked him, and the boys would _never_ stop laughing. Quickly he mounted the steps, and roughly he dragged little Floretta from her hiding place, half carrying her down the stairway, because it was too narrow for two to descend. "So you thought it was funny, just _funny_ to mock us, did you?" he asked, when they reached the floor. Floretta was not laughing now. She was sullen, and at the same time frightened. What would they do to her? They crowded around her, frowning and making all sorts of wild suggestions as to what should be done with her. "Keep her mocking till she's got enough of it!" cried one. "Put her back in the loft, and leave her there! She seemed to like there," said another. The big boy, whose hand was still on her shoulder, was more angry than either of the others. He was a bully, always ready to torment some one smaller than himself. He had reason to be provoked with Floretta, and the fact that she was only a little girl, made no impression upon him. 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. She made no answer. She was crying now. "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!" She pulled back. "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. "Where'll you take her?" asked one. "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. "Let me go, then!" she screamed. "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.