Arrived at the roadside, she paused and looked back.

The two burly forms of the men we had left behind us were standing in the door of the inn; in another moment they had plunged forth and towards us.

With a low cry the young girl leaped towards a tree where to my unbounded astonishment I beheld my horse standing ready saddled.
Dragging the mare from her fastenings, she hung the lantern, burning as it was, on the pommel of the saddle, struck the panting creature a smart blow upon the flank, and drew back with a leap to my side.
"The startled horse snorted, gave a plunge of dismay and started away from us down the road.
"'We will wait,' said Luttra.
"The words were no sooner out of her mouth than her father and brother rushed by.
"'They will follow the light,' whispered she; and seizing me again by the hand, she hurried me away in the direction opposite to that which the horse had taken.

'If you will trust me, I will bring you to shelter,' she murmured, bending her slight form to the gusty wind but relaxing not a whit of her speed.
"'You are too kind,' I murmured in return.

'Why should you expose yourself to such an extent for a stranger ?' "Her hand tightened on mine, but she did not reply, and we hastened on as speedily as the wind and rain would allow.