Muriel, much against her inclinations, had now to be carried almost continuously, but Daniel would not listen to her repeated requests that he would leave her while he went on to fetch help. He still feared a possible pursuit, for even so near to their goal they were travelling through uninhabited and utterly isolated country. He set his teeth, therefore, and carried her forward, now on this shoulder, now on that, now upon his back, and now, as originally, in his arms. He was aching from head to toe, and his feet felt like burning coals of fire, while the perspiration issued from every pore.
“Gee!” he said, as he set her down a mile from their destination, “this has been some walk!”
He took her in his arms again, and set out upon the last lap. The buildings of the police headquarters were now clearly visible against the palms, and near them stood the tents which told them that the Bindanes had returned from the north.
Muriel looked up at his haggard face. “I’m ashamed of myself for being so feeble,” she said. “It is very humiliating for me to have to be carried by _you_, of all people.”
For answer he suddenly bent her head down and kissed her.
Muriel uttered an exclamation. “Put me down!” she cried. “How dare you!”
Again he kissed her, holding her up in his arms as her legs kicked at his hip. She freed her hand and pressed it into his face.
“If you do that,” he laughed, “I’ll drop you.”
“How dare you!” she repeated. “Oh, you brute!”
He threw his head back, and looked up at the sun from under the brim of his battered old hat. “It’s been an extraordinary fortnight,” he panted, as though he were addressing the heavens.
Muriel did not answer, but she was breathing hard as he looked down into her face once more, and her eyes were wide with anger.
“I’ve learned a lot about you,” he said, “during these days; and I guess you’re worth winning, after all.”
“In that case,” she replied furiously, “I guess you’ll be sorry that you’ve lost me.”
“You have,” she replied, shortly and decisively. “What else did you expect, after the way you have insulted and bullied me? You’ve lost me for ever.”
The intensity with which she spoke silenced him; and thus they came stumbling into the camp.
“Kate!—where are you?” Muriel called, as she stood in the blazing sun in the midst of the silent camp.