"I feel as though I should stay. There'll be others killed and it's my fight!"
Hers was a cry of anguish, but he replied:
"You'll save lives by bringin' help. And hurry, ma'am, hurry!"
His only thought was to get her to safety.
A rifle crashed twice not a hundred yards from them and they heard a running horse grunt as spurs raked his sides.
"Get up and get out!" he cried hoarsely, fearful that she might insist on lingering in this place which, this night, was well named Devil's Hole.
"There's only one of 'em ahead of you. He's bound only to make his get-away.... An' the Catamount, she'll clear your way if he does turn back!"
He lifted her bodily to her horse.
"It seems my place to stay!" she cried as shots peppered the storm. "To stay with you, Tom!"
"It's your place to get out! Ride!"