“Oh, easily enough,” rejoined the other. “I suppose I must have been senseless for some time; for, on coming to myself, I found this gash in my head, and the ground covered with blood. However, no one had discovered me, so I contrived to drag myself to my horse. I thought if you were living, and not captured, I should find you here,—and I was right. I kept watch over you, for fear of a surprise on the part of Jonathan. But what's to be done?”
“The first thing I do,” replied Jack, “will be to visit my poor mother in Bedlam.”
“You'd better take care of your mother's son instead,” rejoined Blueskin. “It's runnin' a great risk.”
“Risk, or no risk, I shall go,” replied Jack. “Jonathan has threatened to do her some mischief. I am resolved to see her, without delay, and ascertain if it's possible to remove her.”
“It's a hopeless job,” grumbled Blueskin, “and harm will come of it. What are you to do with a mad mother at a time when you need all your wits to take care of yourself?”
“Don't concern yourself further about me,” returned Jack. “Once for all, I shall go.”
“Won't you take me?”
“No; you must await my return here.”
“Then I must wait a long time,” grumbled Blueskin. “You'll never return.”
“We shall see,” replied Jack. “But, if I should not return, take this purse to Edgeworth Bess. You'll find her at Black Mary's Hole.”