Charlotte tries to escape

Randy's cave was hidden behind a wall of water, the main entrance required him to climb 15 feet up the side of the fall and them move along a narrow ledge to reach the cave entrance. He had found a second way out of the cave that exited high above the cliffs, but that exit was used for emergencies only, so Charlotte would have to be led through the spray of water.

Randy looked as his bound captive as she followed meekly behind him, he wondered if she would be this compliant if she knew who he was and what he intended to do. She impressed him with her ability to move along the narrow game paths with her hands bound at her wrists. With the roar of the falling water, she no longer needed the gag that separated her full lips. He stepped back to his prize and gently loosened the neckcloth that had kept her silent during the walk.

He expected a torrent of strident words from her and was surprised as she waited for him to speak first. This was, he found is a rare trait in a woman, and he nodded at her encouragingly.

“You did well, milady.”

“Where are you taking me?” She asked, and the quickly added “My father will pay well for my safe return. He is …” Randy stopped her by touching a finger to her lips, noting as he did the softness of her full lips.

“I know who your father is, and what he is as well.” He pointed halfway up the falls, “That is where I am taking you.” Charlotte stared at him blankly and he smiled at her confusion. “Come.” He said and stepped back to the path that led up the cliff to his secret lair.

This must be Black Brand's secret hideout. Charlotte knew that if she did not get away soon that the outlaw might do terrible things to her inexperienced body. At least now she knew where she was. Rainbow Falls - She had picnicked here twice when she was younger, swimming in the deep pool under the falls with her cousins. An old road came within a few hundred yards on the other side of the falls. No doubt by now, riders would be combing every path and road through the great forest. If she could get to the old through road she could be rescued, and be able to disclose Black Brand's hideout as well.

"I can't climb with my hands tied like this." She deliberately exaggerated the weariness she felt as she looked up at her captor in surrender. He paused and then with an arrogant shrug he loosened the leather lead from her wrists.

"If you tell me where to climb I will start ahead, that way if I slip you can keep me from slipping into that torrent." The water was not really a torrent, the falls dropped into a deep pool and Charlotte was confident she could out-swim this muscle bound woodsman who had **** her. Even in her ridiculous riding dress she expected she'd be able to get to the far side of the pool before he was halfway across, if he could even swim at all.

"I trust, you will not try to look up my skirt as we climb." She added, although she did not doubt a villain like him would have no scruples about doing just that.

Her plan worked better than she could have hoped for, the handsome blond brigand followed her up the slippery path lagging behind so he could examine her shapely calves. She reached the narrow ledge well before her captor and with a burst of energy she leaped far into the pool and struck out for the far bank.

At first she heard no sounds of pursuit, and her heart swelled with pride. She was moving swiftly downstream carried by the flow of water as well as her skillful swimming sure that she had temporarily at least escaped from the brigand she set her sights on a grassy bank that bordered the scenic pool. A few seconds later she heard the splash of pursuit and kicked with even greater urgency.