"I'll do my duty, I hope. Danger may take care of itself."
"I don't want you to get hurt."
He just caught the words.
"Now look here, Jessie, you're to go back home directly. It's no good your staying, not one scrap. I've got to be off; and you can do something for me. Go and tell mother about it. Tell her I'm come because it's right, and I hadn't a moment to look in and see her. If she'd a boy on board, she'd want folks to try and save him; and there's some mothers have got boys on board. Tell her to think of that. Promise me you'll go."
"Yes," faltered Jessie.
"This very minute?"
"Yes."
"And you won't look back?"
"I'll—try not."
"Groates!" shouted a voice.