When Roland arose that morning The Lifter came to him.
'The hour is come,' he said, 'if you are to save the girl.'
'Is she here?' he asked with astonishment,
'Yes; she is now upstairs among the women. Nancy is trying to give
her some comfort. O, she is so beautiful and innocent lookeen that it
pains my heart to see her here.'
'Rely upon me. Here she will not remain if you be true. I swear it
before the God who made me,' and he fell upon his knees while he made
the oath. Then he arose. 'I will send Nancy to you, though I think
she is also ready for a start.' In a moment Nancy was beside Roland.
'Is the hour come?' she asked with the slightest tremor in her
voice; but it was not a tremor of fear. She was simply quivering at
the thought of freedom.
'It is. The chief is absent, and we may reach the road before he
enters the bush. Joe, I learn, is sleeping.'
'Yes, but the shriek of a mouse will awaken him.'
'I am prepared for that ruffian. Silent Poll and her mother we must
gag.'
Both then ascended into the upper air, and Roland stepped quickly
forward to see the intended victim of the libertine outlaw.
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