'Now, my dear girl,' the Chief said, 'we have to get to my home immediately. It lies in yonder bush. Will you walk, or shall we be obliged to carry you. I do not care to take my horses to the wood.'
'God have mercy upon me! God have mercy upon me!' was all that the unfortunate girl could say.
'Do not lament so. You will not find me such a tyrant.'
But despair had now chilled her heart. She did not hear the words he spoke, and looked about her bewildered and helpless.
'We had better be moving, Miss,' Murfrey said, walking to her side; for it was arranged that the Captain should stay behind to blind the track made by the single sled, and, with the deaf-mute, put pursuers on the wrong scent. He was very skilful at this sort of thing and the rest were not. Hence his remaining behind.
The captive did not seem to hear the words addressed to her, but stood there most hopeless and distrait in the opening dawn, tears streaming out of her beautiful eyes.
Murfrey turned away for a moment to speak with his leader as to what he ought to do. This gave The Lifter who was standing near an opportunity to whisper in her ear, for he had drawn quite close to the girl.
'Fear not! I am your friend. Another captive at home. He will help to release you. I'm forced now to act like this. Fear not! and don't speak.' She looked into his face, and by the earnest, anxious gleam in his eye, she felt instinctively that he told the truth.
'Why should he tell falsehoods about it?' she mused, they can carry me whether I want to go or not.'
'Come,' The Lifter said, and meekly she followed him.