"Do nothing rash, John Drogue," she said in a breathless way.
"Get you ready for flight," said I, fixing a fresh flint. "Nick shall run at your stirrup if it comes to that pinch——"
"But you!"
"Why, I am well enough; and if the Iroquois are at Fish House then I retreat through Varick's, and so by Fonda's Bush to Mayfield Fort."
She clasped her hands.
"I do not wish to leave Summer House," she said pitifully. "What is to happen to our sheep and cattle—and to our fowls and all our stores—and to Summer House itself?"
"God knows," said I impatiently. "Why do you stand there idle when you must make ready for flight!"
"I—I can not bear to have you go to Fish House—all alone——"
"I have the Yellow Leaf, and can keep clear o' trouble. Come, Penelope!—--"
"When you move toward trouble I do not desire to flee the other way, toward safety!—--"