“Thee is foolish, Peggy,” she chided sternly, “to heed such things. If the poor woman can bear it thee should not let it wherrit thee. Now be brave, Peggy Owen! just think how soon thee will see mother. Can thee not bear a little discomfort for that? And how exciting ’twill be to tell them——What was that?” she cried aloud, turning a startled look upon the mountaineer, who rode a short distance ahead of Peggy and his wife.
They drew rein and listened. The road ran through a forest so densely studded with undergrowth that it was impossible to see any distance on either side. For a few seconds there was no sound but the whispering of the pines. They were about to pass on when there came a low cry:
“You, whoever you are! Come to me, for the love of God!”
For a moment they looked at each other with startled faces, and then the mountaineer made a motion to swing himself from his horse.
“Joe,” cried his wife, “what air you going to do? Don’t go! How’d you know but what it’s an ambush?”
“Nay; some one is hurt,” protested Peggy.
While Hart still hesitated, Peggy dismounted, and leading Star by the bridle walked in the direction from which the cry came.
“Where is thee, friend?” she called, her voice sounding clearly through the stillness of the forest.
Dropping the pony’s bridle Peggy pushed aside the undergrowth, and advanced fearlessly, pausing ever and anon to call for guidance. Shamed by this display of courage Joe Hart followed her, despite the protests of his wife. Presently just ahead of them appeared a man’s form lying outstretched under a clump of bushes, and wearing the uniform of the Continentals. One arm, the right one, was broken, and lay disabled upon the grass, while the hand of the other lifted itself occasionally to stroke the legs of a powerful horse which stood guard over the prostrate form of his master.
The animal snapped at them viciously as they approached, but the soldier spoke to him sharply, so that they could draw near in safety. The girl bent over the wounded man pityingly, for a gaping hole in his side through which the blood was flowing told that he had not long to live.
“What can I do for thee, friend?” she asked gently, sinking down beside him and raising his head to her lap.