Where was he? Like a flash the remembrance of the dark object she had left battling with the enraged man occurred to her. It was, it must have been, David. He had sacrificed himself to Broom’s fury that she might escape. Once thoroughly convinced of this, all fears for herself vanished, terror for the boy’s safety crowded everything else from her mind. Emboldened by her love for him, she hastily unfastened the door and, stepping fearlessly forth, flew back over the narrow track. Realizing that every moment was precious, she returned with incredible speed to the spot she had quitted in such haste. Heavens! What was that? The man she loathed and dreaded was gone, but on the snow lay David.
Regardless that the brutal ruffian might still be lurking in the close neighborhood, the girl, uttering a low cry, rushed to the senseless boy.
With tender solicitude she bent over him and raised his head upon her arm. His face was swollen, bruised, and stained with blood. His eyes were closed.
“Oh, David, David!” she sobbed piteously, “you have suffered for my sake.”
But her first agony of feelings over, she was relieved to find that the boy was breathing regularly. Still the knowledge that he had received this cruel treatment in order to save her from insult brought a fresh flood of tears to her eyes.
Tenderly she bent over him, while from her heart a low, piteous appeal went up to heaven.
At length the boy’s eyes unclosed, he gazed around in a dazed, bewildered fashion, then:
“What has happened? Where am I?” he asked wearily, and then: “Ah! I remember, the Ball-eye (white man),” he added with a quick start of apprehension.
“But he has gone now, dear,” said Kasba. “He is a bad, wicked man and will be abundantly punished when Bekothrie returns. Come, dear, you must not stay here any longer. You will freeze. Let me help you up.”
David staggered to his feet. Broom’s dastardly blows had been directed at his upturned face, so although giddy and faint he was still able to walk. The pair had not gone far before they heard a voice hailing them from the rear. Turning, they discovered Sahanderry striding toward them in vague alarm. When told of Broom’s offences he was impatient to find and chastise him, but controlled his impetuosity till he had seen Kasba and the boy in safety.