Lettice gave a feebly hysterical laugh. “I am very conscious of it. It is a warm night, but I confess to feeling cooler than is agreeable. Do you think they will attempt to cross?”
“No; and I am sure they did not discover us. They did not dream of looking in this direction.”
“That good, kind moon,” said Lettice, raising her face. “She was so good to screen us with her clouds just at the right moment.”
“There are times when clouds can be of more use than sunshine, it seems.”
“In this case, surely. Now I am thinking that if it should come on to rain, we would be in a sorry plight. We cannot be much wetter than we are, but there would be no chance of getting dry if it should rain. When we are rested, I think we can find the boat we want to take us over to the mainland. The water is quite shallow beyond, and persons often ford the stream to this island, leave their horses here and boat over to the shore we have left. Since we found no boat there, I conclude it is here.”
“That is good news. We are not cast on a desert island then.”
“No, as long as we can find the means to leave it. I think the boat would be over in that direction, among the bushes. We shall have to row around the island to the other side. Do you suppose we can do so without fear of being seen?”
“I think our pursuers have given up the hope of finding us, for they seemed to be going back the way they came. I think we are safe, but it will not do to take any needless risk.”
“It was a party of Cockburn’s men from Kent Island, I suppose. They are raiding around in every direction. At St. Michael’s they have not dared to use any lights, except such as they must have, for months, and it is the same everywhere about. We live in constant dread of them.” She shuddered and hid her face in her hands, but in a moment she looked up. “Mr. Baldwin,” she said, “I have brought you into great danger which I might have spared you if I had consented to do as my brother wished. I must seem disloyal, as well as obstinate and over impulsive.”
“None of those things. You have been brave, and true to your compassionate nature. As for me, save that you were in great danger, the experience is one that I might meet at any time. I am not seriously hurt; a cut or two; no bones broken. I have come off well. Pray do not distress yourself on my account. My sole concern is for you.”