Ralph had not the heart to distress her further. He felt very sick as he looked at the maimed animal, and thought what the message with which it had been sent might mean.
What had been the fate of pretty Little Miss Sunshine, when the wretches could have exercised such cruelty upon a helpless dumb animal! He tied up the mangled legs of the poor cat, and it tried to purr as it lay in its little friend's arms while the operation went on. The child then carried it to the fire, and sat down to nurse and cuddle it, while Kirke built up a sort of rampart over and around her, to serve as a shelter as well as possible.
"They meant that as a hint of what they will do to any of us if they catch us alive," said he to Ralph.
"They must catch none of us alive," replied Denham.
"May God help us all," sighed Kirke.
"In Him do I put my trust," replied Ralph firmly.
"If anything goes wrong with me," resumed Kirke, after a few moments, "you will send word to my father, won't you, Denham? and tell him I wish I had been a better son to him, and a better man, which I would have tried to be had I been spared."
"I will," said Ralph, "if I am spared myself, but there is little chance for either of us."
"I fear not," said Kirke; and neither of them spoke more for a long time.