She conquered this, yet could remain speechless no longer.
"Where are you taking me ?" she asked suddenly.
There was no reply, and she stared toward her silent companion, unable to even perceive his outlines.

His silence sent a thrill of anger through her, and she lost control.

Her hand gripped the coarse shirt-sleeve in determination to compel him to speak.
"Answer me or I'll scream!" He chuckled grimly, not in the least alarmed.
"Little good that'll do yer now, young woman," he said gruffly, and the driver turned his head at the sound, "unless yer voice will carry five miles or so; where are we now, Matt ?" "Comin' down ter the Big Slough," answered the other, expectorating over the wheel, and flickering a horse with his whip-lash.

"'Twouldn't do no harm now ter fasten back the canvas, Joe; maybe she'd feel a bit more ter home that away." There was a good-natured drawl to the voice which had a tendency to hearten the girl.

The driver seemed human, sympathetic: perhaps he would respond to questioning.