“I cannot. I shall fall from the horse, I am afraid.”
“Don’t do that.”
“I won’t if I can help it; but the motion of the horse almost kills me. Leave me, De Banyan; save yourself if you can.”
“Leave you? I haven’t the remotest idea of doing anything of the sort.”
“Better go on, and save yourself. It is all up with me.”
“A mother would sooner leave her baby than I would leave you,” replied De Banyan in tones as tender as a woman’s. “I’ll never leave you, Somers. If you go to Richmond, I shall go with you.”
“You cannot do me any good. Save yourself before it is too late.”
“Not I.”
“I beg you——”
“Cease your blarney, my dear boy! We are one flesh; and we will hang together to the end of life, or at the end of it, as the case may be. Here, Somers, stick to your horse a moment more, and we will call and see the doctor.”