“But what can I do?” he asked in perplexity. “You are his wife—the child is his——”
“Save me!” she interrupted. “I’m trying to reach the fort across the river. You belong there—I know you do. Take me and my baby with you—please do!”
“But I cannot, Amy,” he replied chokingly. “You are another man’s wife; I must not steal you away from him. Then, the fort is closely invested; I don’t know that I shall be able to reach it myself—alone and unhampered. My gun is empty—I am practically unarmed. I’m weak from loss of blood, fasting, and excessive exertion. No, I can’t take you with me; the risk is too great. You must return to Fort Miami——”
“That I will never do!” she answered determinedly. “If you leave me here, I’ll drown myself and my babe in the river. Better a thousand miserable deaths than again to fall into that man’s power!”
Douglas strode up and down in front of her.
“What am I to do?” he asked himself. “How perverse is fate! I have found her at last—but lost her forever. Poor girl! She is innocent; she was forced into the hateful marriage, no doubt. But I cannot love another’s wife. If I abandon her, she will destroy herself and her child. She means what she says. If I take them with me, I shall risk their lives and my own. And Fort Meigs is no place for her. It may fall into the hands of the British. In that case, the savages will massacre every person within the walls. I must do one of two things—take her with me or——”
Stopping suddenly, he faced his companion and said in earnest tones:
“I’ve decided to take you and your child with me—to attempt to conduct you to Fort Meigs, in safety. I must leave you for a short time, however, to try to find some way of crossing the river. Remain here quietly until I return for you. I’ll be gone but a few minutes.”