He knew full well if he missed the girl was lost, and that nerved him to do his best.
He placed his rifle to his shoulder, and, taking a quick aim, pulled the trigger.
Crack!
As the report rung out the picuasus fell, the bullet having pierced one of its eyes.
As brave as she was, Azurma had swooned, and as soon as he reached the spot, Leo set about to bring her to.
He soon accomplished this, and by the time Reginald Lacy reached the spot she was sitting up clasping her preserver by the hands and gazing into his eyes in a mute expression of joy.
“I have found you, O my future lord and master!” she said, and then she did not speak again for fully a minute.
Reginald Lacy stood staring at her like one in a dream. At length he spoke.
“How did you get here, miss?” he asked. “Can you lead us to a place where we can get something to eat?”
“Are you hungry?” said Azurma, rising to her feet and unslinging the bag from her shoulder. “If you are, eat.”