And, as he spoke, he drew his sword, planted himself in Dickson's way, while Rollo moved off with his burden.
"Ye had better not hinder me, captain," cried the half-maddened sergeant, drawing a pistol. "Bid that dastardly ruffian set her down at once, or I'll send a bullet through your head."
"You dare not," said Lindsay, contemptuously.
"I will not see her stolen from me," cried the sergeant, furiously. "Set her down, I say."
But finding his cries disregarded, he fired, and Captain Lindsay fell dead at his feet.
On hearing the report of the pistol, Rollo looked round, and seeing what had happened, instantly set down Helen and fled. Extricating herself from the scarf, Helen rushed towards the spot where the unfortunate officer was lying. Her lover was kneeling beside the body.
"Wae's me, Helen!" he exclaimed. "Wae's me, I hae kilt the captain."
"Ye canna be blamed for his death, Erick," she rejoined. "He brought his punishment on himsel."
"I shall die for it, nevertheless, lassie," he rejoined.
"Die! you die, Erick, for savin' me frae dishonour!" she cried.