IV
Knapp was naked, and trained to a tick.
The Gentleman was the faster, and the slope helped his long legs; but he was booted and spurred.
Kit watched the smooth swoop of the one, and the terrific bob-a-bob- bob of the other. He was reminded of an eagle he had once seen stooping at a rabbit on the Cheviots.
Each was running for his all, and each knew it; but the Gentleman was having the best of it.
Knapp, running with his head as well as with his heels, was making straight for the creek.
On the flat, among the boulders, he, naked-nimble, would be on better terms with the booted Gentleman.
But—he would never get there. Kit saw it at a glance.
Down the hill he came with pounding fists, and great knees going. His head was flung back, his face screwed tight.
He had the lion's heart, this naughty little man. Death, swift and terrible, cast the shadow of its wings over him. He could not see it, but he could feel it overhead, swooping, swooping. He would not look back. His mistake made, he would do his desperate best to retrieve it. At least he would show the world how a Borderer can die.
Behind him the Gentleman, the wind in his hair, was feeling for his throat.
Another moment and that hub-bub of beating heart and running legs would stop for ever—skewered.
Kit could not bear it. Casting disguise aside, he leapt into the creek, and snatched a pebble.
"Chuck!" screamed the rifleman, and jinked like a hare.
Kit saw the gleam of a white waistcoat, and flung with all his might.
The pebble sped true as that which slew Goliath.
It took effect between the fourth and fifth button. Down went the Gentleman with a windy groan, as though the soul was being sucked out of his body.
Knapp, the pressure relieved, was his Cockney self again in a second. He swung on at a leisurely trot with the flick of heel, and swagger of elbow, peculiar to the crack taking his ease.
"Thank-ye!" he called, pert and patronising. "Lucky shot!"
"Run, fool, run!" yelled Kit. "The sentry!"
On the crest of the hill, against the sky-line, the sentry was kneeling as he took aim.
"What!—eh!—oh!—im?—blime!" and Knapp buckled to again in earnest.
The sentinel fired.
It was a long shot; but the man was a Grenadier of the Guard, and picked at that.
Up went Knapp's arms, and down into the creek he stumbled, there to fall on his face. Up again to run a little further; down once more; turned head over heels; up again and out of sight.
Kit's heart rose and fell with the little man.
What to make of it?—was he hard hit?—or was he at his eternal fooling once more?