“I think we had better take refuge in some farm house hereabouts,” suggested Feargus.
“And leave the ‘Comet’ to be stolen, as he was once before?” cried Billie. “Never!”
“I’ll stand guard over him. I’ll roll up in a blanket and sleep on the back seat,” answered the boy meekly. “If you ladies will stay here and protect each other, I’ll explore first and see what can be found.”
“It was a comfort to have a man with them, and such a good-natured one, too,” thought Miss Campbell as Feargus disappeared through the trees.
They waited in silence for some time. At last Billie, growing impatient, started to follow.
“Go with her, one of you,” ordered Miss Campbell nervously, seeing that the impetuous girl had not waited to ask permission.
Nancy rushed after her friend’s retreating figure, and after walking a few moments, the two girls found themselves on the edge of a dingle. Below, in the warm glow of a fire, they could see the forms of two men in close conversation. Nearby a tent had been pitched, and at one side a horse was contentedly munching grass. While they watched, a girl emerged from somewhere with a frying pan in one hand and a small pail in the other.
“Gypsies,” whispered Nancy.
“They look like it,” assented Billie, “and that’s Feargus talking to the man.”
She had scarcely spoken when the Irish boy shook hands with the stranger and started up the hill. He walked slowly and seemed to be turning something over in his mind. The girls waited impatiently, wondering why he took so long.