Bewildered, he hesitated, but distrustfully, calling in fierce anger:
"Throw up your hands, and come into the light, or I will kill you!"
Hastening to do as he said, and the moon striking my face as I stepped into the road, he lowered his pistol, crying out:
"My God, Gilbert!"
Recognizing Uncle Job's voice, I answered, but hardly above a whisper, so overcome was I at seeing him.
"Great heavens! what are you doing here?" he went on, springing from his horse; but I knew no more till I found myself lying in the road and he bending over me.
"There, you are coming round; but, my God! how pale and wan you look, and how torn your face! Have you been ill, or what is the matter?" he asked, his voice choked and trembling.
"No, I'm all right," I answered; and indeed the sight of him filled me with such happiness that my weariness left me ere I had finished speaking.
"There! do not get up. Lie where you are, and when you are strong enough you can tell me how it happens that you are here and alone, and at this time of night," he replied, his face clouded with anxiety.
"I ran away to escape Moth; but I've something else to tell you," I answered, remembering the tragedy at the cabin and Burke waiting beside the road, "and it's about you," I went on, overcome by the recollection.