The ladies withdrew into the tent at an early hour. Blake strolled around the camp until after nine o’clock, but finally came with his blankets and companionably rolled up near Ashton. He was soon fast asleep. 279 But Ashton lay tossing until after midnight. Weariness at last weighed down the lids of his hot eyes and numbed his tortured brain. He sank into a feverish sleep haunted with evil dreams.
CHAPTER XXIV
BLIND LOVE
At sunrise the harassed dreamer awoke to find Gowan gazing down at him somberly.
“You––you here?” he exclaimed, starting up on his elbow. “What is––” He checked himself and muttered brokenly, “I’ve been dreaming––horrible nightmares.”
“He’s down there overhauling his outfit,” said Gowan. “Hope you’ve thought the matter over.”
“My answer must be the same. I cannot do it, I cannot!” replied Ashton. He spoke hurriedly, as if afraid to linger on the thought.
“You can’t––not to save her and have me give her to you?” asked Gowan.