“Down to Werigna—their place. But look here, don’t stop to be taken there. Go off into the woods and journey south farther than they go. Don’t stay.”
“Will they kill us if we stay?” whispered Don.
“Yes,” said Tomati, with a curious look. “Run for it—both.”
“But we can’t leave you.”
Tomati smiled, and was silent for a few minutes.
“You will not—leave me,” he whispered, as he smiled sadly. “I—shall escape.”
“I am glad,” whispered Don. “But Ngati?—where is Ngati?”
“Crawled away up the mountain. Badly wounded, but he got away.”
“Then he has escaped,” whispered Don joyfully.
“Yes. So must you,” said Tomati, shivering painfully. “Good lads, both.”