Just try me, and see."
He must have read the grim meaning in my face, for he fell back against
the log, muttering incoherently, his dark eyes wells of hate, his face
a picture of malignancy, but utterly helpless--the lurking coward in
him, unable to face my threat. I left him and stooped above her.
"We shall be busy presently; the delay cannot be much longer. I am
afraid that fellow may succeed somehow in doing us harm. He is crazed
enough to attempt anything. May I trust you to guard him?"
Her eyes, absolutely fearless and direct, looked straight up into mine.
"Yes, he will make no movement I shall not see. Tell me; do you
believe there is hope?"
"God knows. We shall do our best. If the worst comes--what?"
"Do not fear for me; do not let any memory of me turn you aside from
your work," she said quietly. "I know what you mean and pledge you I
shall never fall into his hands. It--it cannot be wrong, I am sure,
and--and I must tell you that. I--I could not, Steven, for--for I love
you."
My eager hands were upon hers, my eyes greedily reading the message
revealed so frankly in the depths of her own. She only was in my
thoughts; we were there alone--alone.
"They're a comin', Cap," yelled Kennedy and his rifle cracked. "By
God! they're here!"
With one swift spring I was back at my deserted post and firing. Never
before had I been in an Indian battle, but they had told me at
Armstrong that the Sacs were fighting men.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348