Part 10 (1/2)
”So I think, too,” said Catherine, ”and for that reason I will ask a favor of you, Lambert. You have on my account slightly neglected your duty. Had you returned alone you would yesterday already have seen and spoken with your friends, for you would have taken the road through the valley instead of through the woods. To-day it is fortunate that your friend Adam has found us, for you might easily have failed to be where you belong. This is not right, and lies heavy on my mind. Now you have a long ride. I know well that Hans can carry us both, but he will go better if you alone ride him. And then what would be the result should everyone, on such an occasion, drag his wife with him? The others also stay at home. You will leave me here, Lambert. Is it not so?”
”Now it is getting to be time,” said Adam Bellinger, coming out of the door.
Lambert stood irresolute. He saw no danger in leaving Catherine alone, but it was very trying for him to separate himself from her just at this time.
”Conrad may come back to his dinner and find the house deserted. Surely it is better, Lambert, that I stay here.”
”Well, as you will,” said Lambert.
He again unbuckled the pillion that he had put upon Hans.
”Does not the maiden go along?” asked Adam, who was already mounted.
Lambert did not answer.
”Well then, good-bye, young lady; and best thanks. Hot! Mare!”
He turned his horse, which left the crib unwillingly.
Catherine flew into Lambert's arms.
”May you live happy, beloved. I hope you are not displeased with me?”
”With you?”
His lips trembled. Silently he pressed Catherine to his breast; then with a mighty effort he tore himself away, swung himself upon Hans, galloped after his companion, who was trotting ahead on his long-limbed horse, and at every step of the animal flew up in the air, while his sharp elbows moved up and down like wings.
CHAPTER VIII
Lambert soon overtook the awkward rider. The two young men trotted on for a time side by side without speaking, until suddenly the mare, panting, stood still. Adam, having thus been thrown upon the neck of the beast, remarked that the mare was a very intelligent creature, and well knew that it was impossible for her to keep going at such a gait; that in such a case she always stopped to give the rider time for reflection; and that he had always found that one also finally reaches his destination by going on a walk, and that far easier.
”But also so much later,” said Lambert, impatiently. ”If you are absolutely unable to keep up with me I must leave you and ride on ahead.”
”For G.o.d's sake!” cried Adam, and thrust his heels so forcibly into the sides of the mare that she sprang forward, and again fell into a trot.
”For G.o.d's sake! that will soon fail.”
”You are a coward,” said Lambert, ”in that you are put to the blush by a girl.”
He turned back in the saddle toward the blockhouse before it should disappear from his sight behind the forest-encompa.s.sed, rocky hill around which they were winding. Catherine had not left her place in front of the door. Though uncertain whether she could see the salutation he waved his hand to her, and then the rocks hid her from his sight.
An indescribable sadness fell upon Lambert and it did not lack much but he would have turned Hans about and gone back at full speed. But with a strong determination he overcame his painful emotion. ”I am just as great a coward,” said he to himself, ”and even a greater one, for I know better about what is going on, and nothing that I do for her should be burdensome to me.”
”You may well talk,” Adam broke in upon Lambert's self-communings.
”Why?” asked Lambert.
”Should they pull the scalp from over your ears no rooster would crow after that; but my mother would weep her eyes out.”
”Perhaps there may be somebody who would rather see my scalp on my head than on an Indian's girdle.”