We had still to learn the truth about the massing of Indians in the mountains, of which the Cherokee raids were but scouting ventures.

The verse of Grey's song came into my head:-- "I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not Honour more." Besides--and this was the best reason--there was no other way.

We had gone too far to turn back, and, as our proverb says, "It is idle to swallow the cow and choke on the tail." I put it all to Elspeth.
She looked very scared.

"But my uncle will go mad if he does not find me." "It will be worse for him if he is never to find you again.

Shalah says it would be as easy to get you back over the Rappahannock as for a child to cross a winter torrent.