Colomba, running hastily up, found them in the very same position in which she had left them.
“The soldiers!” she cried. “Orso! try to get up and walk! I’ll help you!”
“Leave me!” said Orso. “Tell the bandits to escape. What do I care if I am taken? But take away Miss Lydia. For God’s sake, don’t let anybody see her here!”
“I won’t leave you,” said Brandolaccio, who had come up on Colomba’s heels.
“The sergeant in charge is the lawyer’s godson. He’ll shoot you instead of arresting you, and then he’ll say he didn’t do it on purpose.”
Orso tried to rise; he even took a few steps. But he soon halted. “I can’t walk,” he said. “Fly, all of you! Good-bye, Miss Nevil! Give me your hand! Farewell!”
“We won’t leave you!” cried the two girls.
“If you can’t walk,” said Brandolaccio, “I must carry you. Come, sir, a little courage! We shall have time to slip away by the ravine. The Signor Padre will keep them busy.”
“No, leave me!” said Orso, lying down on the ground. “Colomba, take Miss Nevil away!—for God’s sake!”
“You’re strong, Signorina Colomba,” said Brandolaccio. “Catch hold of his shoulders; I’ll take his feet. That’s it! Now, then march!”