I must beg of you to assist me to lift him into the house and give us shelter for the night." The men had remained perfectly still, drinking in her every syllable with that fierce thirst for news which is a first passion of dwellers in such desolate places; then, aroused by what they heard, they came forward across a rough bit of ground to the road.

The burly form of John Biery came first, and he called for a lantern, which was instantly produced by one of those who followed.

They held it up over Angel's crouching form and death-like face.

Then they held it higher and stared at Susannah.

Her shawl had fallen from off her shoulders.