"Oh. And if not, then you mean to ride there in spite o' the devil. Is that the situation?"
"Yes, sir."
Had it been any man I would have put a bullet in him; and could have easily marked him where I pleased. Never had I been in colder rage; never had I felt so helpless. And every moment I was afeard the crazy girl would ride on.
"Will you parley?" I shouted.
"Parley?" she repeated. "How so, young soldier?"
"In this manner, then: I engage my honour not to seize your bridle or touch you or my horse if you will sit still till I come up with you."
She sat looking at me across the fallow field in silence.
"I shall not use violence," said I. "I shall try only to find some way to serve you, and yet to do my own duty, too."
"Soldier," she replied in a troubled voice, "is this the very truth you speak?"
"Have I not engaged my honour?" I retorted sharply.