Part 10 (2/2)
He had both her hands in his, and was looking down into her eyes.
”The woods and Golightly would be the swiftest way to communicate with us in the village.”
”Then if need be I shall do it.”
”Take the right-hand track straight through the wood, and G.o.d protect you, Rosalind. My house will be the first one you will come to. Let me be the first to spring to your aid. No man will step into the stirrup with greater alacrity than I. But, please G.o.d, there may be no need for you to go.”
He lifted her hands to his lips and was gone.
Two days pa.s.sed and nothing of moment happened. But on the evening of the third, two men in McArthur's employ entered the house breathless with excitement. Feathertop--an Indian chief noted for the number of scalps which adorned his person--had been seen in the vicinity of the small settlement.
McArthur, with a grim fixedness of countenance, saw to the priming of his rifle for the fiftieth time; and Rosalind, with her father's courage, examined her own weapon, which she had resolved to take with her for safety if Golightly had to be requisitioned.
”Rosalind, those chaps will be on us to-night or to-morrow morning.”
It was McArthur who spoke, and Rosalind knew that her own misgivings had taken root also within her father's mind.
”Because of Feathertop?” she asked bravely.
”Yes. He is never lurking about unless he means business.”
”Could David and Jim have been misinformed?”
”I don't think so.”
”Then, father, I shall ride to the village.”
[Sidenote: Rosalind's Resolve]
McArthur looked at his daughter. He saw her face, he saw her figure.
Both were alive with determination and courage.
”Rosalind, you will kill your mother if you attempt to do such a thing.”
”Don't tell her unless you are obliged. It is to save her that I do it.
Give her a rifle--keep her employed--let her think I am with some of the neighbours. Father, we do not know if we shall be outnumbered. If we are, what will happen? All your cattle will go--your whole property will be ruined, and, worse than all put together, we shall probably lose our lives in a horrible manner.”
”I acknowledge all that you say, but one of the men must go. You with your rifle can take his place, and do just as much execution as he can----”
David put his head in at the door.
”We've brought all the live-stock as close to the house as possible. Jim has been stealing round the plantation by the river, and says he has distinctly seen three Redskins on the other side of the river. We must be prepared for an attack this evening.”
”David, can you get me Golightly without attracting attention? I am going to ride him at once to the village.”
”Mercy on us!” exclaimed David. ”Is there no one but you to do that?”
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