"At any rate, I am at your service if you need me," he continued. "I trust I may not be called out for such a purpose, but if I am, I and my rifle are at your disposal."
"Thanks, Robertson, you are a good fellow," returned McArthur heartily, grasping the young man's hand.
In a few minutes he rose to go. Rosalind accompanied him to the house door.
"Mr. Robertson," she said abruptly, as soon as they were out of hearing, "which would be the shortest cut to the village? By the woods or by the river?" He looked keenly at her.
"You meant what you said just now?"
"Of course I meant it. I—I would do anything to save my father's and mother's lives, and their property, which father has secured by dint of so much labour."
He took her hand in his.
"Rosalind," he said softly, "if anything happened to you, my life would be of no worth to me."
She flushed all over her fair skin.
"It is better to be prepared for an emergency," she answered gently, "and I do not think I would run such a great risk as you and my father think."