Викрадений
Chapter 22
Asforhimself(andyouaretobearinmindthathewascumberedwithagreat-coat)hehadfirstturnedcrimson,butastimewentontherednessbegantobemingledwithpatchesofwhite;hisbreathcriedandwhistledasitcame;andhisvoice,whenhewhisperedhisobservationsinmyearduringourhalts,soundedlikenothinghuman.Yetheseemedinnowaydashedinspirits,nordidheatallabateinhisactivity,sothatIwasdriventomarvelattheman’sendurance.
Atlength,inthefirstgloamingofthenight,weheardatrumpetsound,andlookingbackfromamongtheheather,sawthetroopbeginningtocollect.Alittleafter,theyhadbuiltafireandcampedforthenight,aboutthemiddleofthewaste.
AtthisIbeggedandbesoughtthatwemightliedownandsleep.
“Thereshallbenosleepthenight!”saidAlan.“Fromnowon,thesewearydragoonsofyourswillkeepthecrownofthemuirland,andnonewillgetoutofAppinbutwingedfowls.Wegotthroughinthenickoftime,andshallwejeopardwhatwe’vegained?Na,na,whenthedaycomes,itshallfindyouandmeinafastplaceonBenAlder.”
“Alan,”Isaid,“it’snotthewantofwill:it’sthestrengththatIwant.IfIcould,Iwould;butassureasI’maliveIcannot.”
“Verywell,then,”saidAlan.“I’llcarryye.”
Ilookedtoseeifhewerejesting;butno,thelittlemanwasindeadearnest;andthesightofsomuchresolutionshamedme.
“Leadaway!”saidI.“I’llfollow.
