Part 12 (2/2)
”They say you must be untied, or you will get lame, and not be able to travel, for we'll move on in a week or two, and don't you attempt to go out of the tent, for they are going to keep an eye on you to see if the herb works right.”
Zula sat a moment in deep thought ere she replied; then, looking closely in Fan's eyes, and speaking in a voice so low that Fan could just distinguish her words, she asked:
”Fan, will you trust me to ask you something and promise me not to tell a living soul?”
”Yes; I'll promise.”
”You won't betray me?”
”No.”
”True?”
”As sure as can be.”
”You must help me, Fan. I must get away.”
”Oh, I'll be lonely without you, Zu.”
”But they'll kill me yet, Fan, and if I can I must get away, and if you will only help me, I will do something for you if I can. Will you help me, Fan?”
”Yes, Zu, I will.”
”Well, then, to-morrow night, when they are all asleep, come as still as you can and untie the ropes, and I will escape.”
Fan gave the required promise and then left Zula, saying that if she stayed too long they might suspect something. Crisp and his mother were seated on the ground, apart from the rest. Fan strolled near several times, but could hear nothing of their conversation. That night, as Zula lay patiently waiting, Fan entered the tent, saying in a loud voice:
”Here, Zula, Crisp told me to bring you this tea; he says it will strengthen you.”
Zula took the tea, and, lying back on her bed of straw, was soon, to all appearance, fast asleep, but though her eyes were closed and her body motionless, her brain was still at work.
She had not lain there more than an hour ere she heard a pressure of the gra.s.s, and a smothered whisper near by. She began to fear that the two were to commit some terrible deed, and her heart beat wildly, but she controlled every outward emotion, knowing that her only hope lay in apparent ignorance of their presence. Old Meg, holding a torch closer to her face, whispered:
”Yes, she is sound asleep; now for the search. I'm sure she has it.”
”Oh, yes, I'm pretty sure I saw her take it,” said Crisp.
Old Meg then proceeded to examine Zula's clothing, but after a thorough search turned away in disgust.
Zula heard words which made her heart stand still, and her face grew pale; heard that which changed her resolutions and the current of her life. Three years ago it would have been impossible for her to lie there quietly and control the intermingling of anger and grief that swelled her heart; but she had learned from the teachings which she had received, as well as from experience, that no good comes of hasty pa.s.sions, and calling into action all her powers of endurance, she lay as calm as a sleeping infant until Crisp and Meg left the tent.
All night she lay trying to devise means whereby she could make her escape, sleeping only at intervals. In the morning Meg entered to find what the effect of the drug had been. Zula, tired out from anxiety, had sunk into a heavy slumber. Old Meg, stooping down, looked steadily into her face, then left the tent. When the sun was going down that night she directed Crisp to see that Zula was securely tied, which work he was only too eager to do. It was night. The gypsies were all sleeping soundly. A cloud had blinded the setting sun, which, continuing to spread until night came on, grew to an inky darkness.
Now and then a tiny red line shot out from the blackened clouds, which were growing more and more dense, and a faint rumbling of the far away thunder could be heard. Midnight came, and Zula, with feverish anxiety, awaited the time for Fan to come and release her.
”Oh,” thought Zula, ”what if Fan had fallen asleep, and forgotten all about her, or worse yet, what if she were playing a part and should tell Crisp her secret. He would have no mercy on her.” She grew nervous at the very thought. ”Oh, what a risk she was running to undertake to gain her freedom. Oh, if Fan would only come.”
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