At sight of the two figures breaking through the underbrush, Hugh started in surprise, and a look which Dorothy found it hard to understand showed in his face.
"What is it—what is the matter?" Captain Southorn demanded angrily, stepping toward the two other men.
Hugh did not reply, and now they heard rapid footsteps approaching.
"Here, this way,—come here!" shouted Hugh, who did not appear to have heard the young Englishman's question.
Farmer Gilbert had arisen slowly to his feet, and did not attempt to escape from the grasp Hugh still kept upon his arm.
"Oh, Hugh—what is it?" asked Dorothy, looking with frightened eyes at his prisoner.
"Never mind now, Dot," he answered hastily, but his voice softening. "How came you here? You should not—" Then, with a half-sulky glance as of apology to the young Englishman, he bit his lip and was silent.
"We were standing in the path just now," said Captain Southorn, "when a bullet came so close to us as to do this;" and he touched the torn cloth on his shoulder.
Hugh started. "Then it must have been you he was shooting at!" he exclaimed, glancing angrily at the prisoner.
"The bullet went just over my head and into a tree," said Dorothy, continuing her husband's explanation.