Page:Mistress Madcap Surrenders (1926).pdf/149

 that he was not much company. She slipped from her horse and went over to kneel beside the injured man. Pityingly she unfastened his coat collar and loosened it. Whether it was the icy touch of her fingers or because he was at that moment recovering consciousness, Sturgins uttered a groan and spoke.

"Captain!"

Mehitable bent over him. "He be gone for water to help revive ye, Sturgins," she told him.

"Captain!" Unheedingly, Sturgins repeated it. Suddenly, gasping, staring, he half raised himself from the snowy ground. "The Tories—the Tories" he panted wildly.

Mehitable tried to soothe him. "Captain Condit will return i' a moment, Sturgins. Nay, rest ye easy!"

"The Tories—I overheard—Kemble" Sturgins fell to muttering deliriously.

Mehitable, listening impatiently for her brother's return, paid not much attention until a random name caught her ear.

"Hawtree!" She bent over the servant again. "Said ye Hawtree, Sturgins?"

"Aye, mistress!" For the first time Sturgins looked at her rationally, with clearing gaze. It was dark, so that they could scarcely see each other's faces; but as they looked, the moon eluded the baffling snow clouds and, like a curious specta-