"That's were you stood," said Geo, following out his own thoughts as he opened the gate for her to pass through before him. He nodded across to the overhanging thorn.
"You did take me by surprise then," said Milly, smiling as she conjured up the scene.
"And there's the billy-goat. He've got more to eat now than he had then; but, all the same, I was jealous of him then. I'd ha' liked to ha' been in his hide jest for the minute when he was rubbin' his head against you, and you was coaxin' and pettin' of him, that I would!"
Geo was getting on and no mistake!
"Well, he's jealous of you now," said Milly, with some confusion, as the animal, recognizing her voice, strained at his chain and bleated piteously.
What Geo's next move might have been is unknown, as just at that critical moment the tiresome church clock boomed out the hour, and Geo pulled himself together.
"I must go," he said. "I don't like to be late on a job like this," and before Milly could answer he had sprung across. He turned and gave her a nod as he picked up his cap, which had fallen off, and set off running towards the house. Milly waved her good-bye, and returned slowly through the meadows. The neglected goat bleated imploringly after her, but she never heard it.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE RESCUE
It was eight o'clock, and the crowd that had come and gone during the afternoon had now gathered again in force. It was known all round that the critical moment had arrived. Everything was ready; the supreme act of bringing the men to the surface alone remained to be accomplished. The rope was carefully lowered, and the watchers held their breath.