"It is only that I have no letter from Dunmore or from Miss Warren," I muttered, looking out into the street to spy if a messenger were coming our way.
We sat there in silence, gnawing our knuckles, and it did not please me to wait Lord Dunmore's pleasure like a servant.
That Silver Heels had not yet written also displeased me, for I was not then habituated to the ways of a maid.
"Do you think the runner I hired to carry my letter to Sir William will be scalped?" I asked, turning to look at Mount.
"He has been scalped," said Mount, quietly.
Thunderstruck, I sprang to my feet, and finally found tongue to ask how he had heard such news.
"Why, lad," he said, modestly, "I followed your runner last night when he left you abed here, and he had not gone ten paces from this inn ere a man left the shadow of the trees yonder to dog us both. It was what I feared; but, Lord!—I caught the fellow by the market yonder, and trounced him till he could neither stand nor sit. I was a fool; I should have followed your runner and brought him back. I did follow, but he had struck a fast pace, and besides they delayed me at the fortress gate with questions about my business. When I cleared the sentries I started to run; but my journey was short enough, God knows!"
He paused, looking down at the fur cap he was slowly twirling on his thumb.
"Your messenger lay dead by the wood's edge," he added, abruptly.
"I had not dreamed the savages were so near," said I, horrified.