"What did you want to be such an infernal fool for, man?" he said, with a little smile. Then his eyes closed, and the woman wiped his forehead and kissed him.
The group round him drew back, leaving the woman and Todd near him. Presently some dozen of the rioters brought the top of a table from their barricade, and lifted him on to it. Then Big Todd spoke to the Governor.
"There'll be no more fighting," he said. "I'll give myself up, but I'd like to help the chaps to take him home first."
The Governor nodded, and they raised the table on their shoulders and set out for Kirton. Behind them came the woman and a few more of the same class; some children stole out from the back of the gaol and took their places. After them marched the rioters, and last of all the Governor, his party, and the troops. And in this order the procession passed along. And some time before it had gone far, Medland bled to death inwardly; his strength failed him and he gave a convulsive shiver, opened his eyes for the last time to the sky, and then lay still under the rough coat that Big Todd had thrown over him.
"Dick, Dick," whispered the Governor, when
they came near Government House, "ride on and tell them."
Lady Eynesford, Eleanor Scaife, and Alicia were standing at the gate. They had hardly seen the procession turn a corner and come into sight before Dick galloped up.
"What is it, Dick?" cried Lady Eynesford. "Willie's not hurt?"
"No—it's—it's Mr. Medland."
Eleanor was standing by Alicia, and she felt a sudden clutch on her arm.