As soon as he had gone
Malcolm arranged the straw in the bottom of the wagon so as to form
a bed; but Thekla said that for the present she would rather walk
with him.
"It is weeks since I have been out, and I shall enjoy walking for
a time; besides, it is all so strange that I should have no chance
to sleep were I to lie down."
Malcolm at once consented, and taking his place at the head of the
oxen, he started them, walking ahead to light the way and leading
them by cords passed through their nostrils. He had not the least
fear of pursuit for the present, for it had been arranged that
the countess should inform their attendant that Thekla was feeling
unwell, and had retired to bed, and the woman, whatever she might
suspect, would take care not to verify the statement, and it would
be well on in the following morning before her absence was discovered.
Malcolm tried his best to distract Thekla's thoughts from her
parents, and from the strange situation in which she was placed,
and chatted to her of the events of the war since he had last seen
her, of the route which he intended to adopt, and the prospects
of peace. In two hours' time the girl, unaccustomed to exercise,
acknowledged that she was tired; she therefore took her place in
the wagon.
Malcolm covered her up with straw and threw some sacks lightly over
her, and then continued his journey.
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