Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/35

 gesture as Captain Stockton regarded him sullenly, "tell the men to mount! It waxes late, and the sun be sinking behind this cursed mountain!"

As the other swung around to repeat the order, his eye fell upon Sally, who, as soon as she saw his darkening gaze, stooped innocently to retrieve a gourd which had fallen upon the grass. Straightening herself, however, she was alarmed to find the man still staring at her.

"What do ye here, young mistress?" With one quick step he was beside her, his hand closing around her slender wrist.

"Nay, I—I" Sally's other hand, dropping the gourd, crept to her throat where the pulse could be seen beating in terror.

"What is it, Captain?" The superior officer's voice was careless.

Sally, glancing up into the face near her own, was conscious of instant dislike. It was such a thin, ferretlike face, with quick, darting eyes set closely together, and cruel, thin lips. "His face doth look like a hatchet-edge!" thought the girl helplessly.

Major Lumm now reached them, however, and made a negligent gesture that at once freed the girl. And now it was Stockton's turn to color, while his eyes darted a look at his superior officer that held ill-concealed venom.

Major Lumm turned indifferently upon his heel.