“Then we will keep on.”
“But you are not fit to do so,” she protested. “Your cough——”
“What do I matter?” he replied with a mirthless laugh. “I am done for in any case, and we must be a long way from here before morning. This is the only service I shall ever be able to render you, and you are not going to deny me the chance of atonement which it gives, are you?”
“I was not thinking of that!” answered Joy gently. “I was thinking only of you.”
“And I am thinking only of you!” he retorted quickly. “I have thought of myself too long. I am very glad to have this opportunity of service, however I may regret the circumstances.”
“I am very grateful to you,” was Joy’s reply, and without further words they started anew upon their way.
Once they stopped, and ate a little food which had been prepared before leaving the cabin, and then pushed on until dawn, when a fire was lit, and a halt for a couple of hours was made. At the end of that time they resumed their desperate journey, and an hour later struck the river for which Dick Bracknell had been making. A look of relief came on his haggard face as he saw it.
“It will be easier now,” he said, “and unless the Indians have removed we shall reach the encampment all right now.”
“Unless those men overtake us!”