There in the moonlight she saw Phœbe on horseback, her head uncovered, her hair floating free and her clothing in tatters. A few paces behind her was Sir Guy, also mounted, fiercely attacking two pursuing horsemen with his sword. Farther back, rendered indistinct by distance, was a larger group of mingled horse and foot travellers. There was a lantern among them, and Rebecca inferred that the watch was with them.
A moment later, one of the two men engaged with Sir Guy fell from his horse. Instantly the young knight turned upon the second pursuer, who fled at once toward the larger group now rapidly approaching.
Rebecca ran forward and waved her card of matches frantically, apparently thinking in her excitement that she held a flag.
"Here, Phœbe—here, child!" she screamed. "This way, quick! Here we are awaitin' fer ye. Come, quick—quick!"
With a loud cry of joy, Phœbe slipped from her horse and ran toward her sister.
"Oh, Rebecca, Rebecca!" she cried, throwing herself into her sister's arms. "Oh, you dear, lovely, sweet old darling!"
Rebecca kissed her younger sister with tears in her eyes, almost as affected as the girl herself, who was now laughing and crying hysterically on her breast.
While they stood thus tightly locked in each other's arms, Guy came to their side with sword in hand.
"Quick!" he said, sharply. "You must away to shelter. Here comes the watch apace. I will protect the rear."
The two women started apart and Phœbe set forward obediently, but Rebecca only gave the fast-approaching crowd a look of proud contempt.