You will not find me such a tyrant.'
But despair had now chilled her heart. She did not hear the words he
spoke, and looked about her bewildered and helpless.
'We had better be moving, Miss,' Murfrey said, walking to her side;
for it was arranged that the Captain should stay behind to blind the
track made by the single sled, and, with the deaf-mute, put pursuers
on the wrong scent. He was very skilful at this sort of thing and the
rest were not. Hence his remaining behind.
The captive did not seem to hear the words addressed to her, but
stood there most hopeless and _distrait_ in the opening dawn,
tears streaming out of her beautiful eyes.
Murfrey turned away for a moment to speak with his leader as to what
he ought to do. This gave The Lifter who was standing near an
opportunity to whisper in her ear, for he had drawn quite close to
the girl.
'Fear not! I am your friend. Another captive at home. He will help
to release you. I'm forced _now_ to act like this. Fear not! and
don't speak.' She looked into his face, and by the earnest, anxious
gleam in his eye, she felt instinctively that he told the truth.
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