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er； we might reach some stream and manage to break our trail。 The ground was smooth before us； … too smooth； and slippery with pine needles； the pines themselves stood in grim brown rows； and we ran between them lightly and easily； husbanding our strength。 Now and again one or the other looked behind； but we saw only the pines and the gathering dusk。 Hope was strengthening in us； when a second bullet dug into the earth just beyond us。
Diccon swore beneath his breath。 〃It struck deep；〃 he muttered。 〃The dark is slow in coming。〃
A minute later； as I ran with my head over my shoulder； I saw our pursuer； dimly； like a deeper shadow in the shadows far down the arcade behind us。 There was but one man； … a tall warrior； strayed aside from his band； perhaps； or bound upon a warpath of his own。 The musket that he carried some English fool had sold him for a mess of pottage。
Putting forth all our strength； we ran for our lives； and for the lives of many others。 Before us the pine wood sloped down to a deep and wide thicket； and beyond the thicket a line of sycamores promised water。 If we could reach the thicket； its close embrace would hide us； … then the darkness and the stream。 A third shot； and Diccon staggered slightly。
〃For God's sake； not struck； man？〃 I cried。
〃It grazed my arm；〃 he panted。 〃No harm done。 Here's the thicket！〃
Into the dense growth we broke； reckless of the blood which the sharp twigs drew from face and hands。 The twigs met in a thick roof over our heads； that was all we cared for； and through the network we saw one of the larger stars brighten into being。 The thicket was many yards across。 When we had gone thirty feet down we crouched and waited for the dark。 If our enemy followed us； he must do so at his peril； with only his knife for dependence。
One by one the stars swam into sight； until the square of sky above us was thickly studded。 There was no sound； and no living thing could have entered that thicket without noise。 For what seemed an eternity； we waited； then we rose and broke our way through the bushes to the sycamores； to find that they indeed shadowed a little sluggish stream。
Down this we waded for some distance before taking to dry earth again。 Since entering the thicket we had seen and heard nothing suspicious； and were now fain to conclude that the dark warrior had wearied of the chase； and was gone on his way toward his mates and that larger and surer quarry which two suns would bring。 Certain it is that we saw no more of him。
The stream flowing to the south； we went with it； hurrying along its bank； beneath the shadow of great trees； with the stars gleaming down through the branches。 It was cold and still； and far in the distance we heard wolves hunting。 As for me； I felt no weariness。 Every sense was sharpened； my feet were light； the keen air was like wine in the drinking； there was a star low in the south that shone and beckoned。 The leagues between my wife and me were few。 I saw her standing beneath the star； with a little purple flower in her hand。
Suddenly； a bend in the stream hiding the star； I became aware that Diccon was no longer keeping step with me； but had fallen somewhat to the rear。 I turned； and he was leaning heavily； with drooping head； against the trunk of a tree。
〃Art so worn as that？〃 I exclaimed。 〃Put more heart into thy heels； man！〃
He straightened himself and strode on beside me。 〃I don't know what came over me for a minute；〃 he answered。 〃The wolves are loud to…night。 I hope they'll keep to their side of the water。〃
A stone's throw farther on； the stream curving to the west； we left it； and found ourselves in a sparsely wooded glade； with a bare and sandy soil beneath our feet； and above； in the western sky； a crescent moon。 Again Diccon lagged behind； and presently I heard him groan in the darkness。
I wheeled。 〃Diccon！〃 I cried。 〃What is the matter？〃
Before I could reach him he had sunk to his knees。 When I put my hand upon his arm and again demanded what ailed him； he tried to laugh； then tried to swear； and ended with another groan。 〃The ball did graze my arm；〃 he said； 〃but it went on into my side。 I'll just lie here and die； and wish you well at Jamestown。 When the red imps come against you there； and you open fire on them； name a bullet for me。〃
CHAPTER XXXV IN WHICH I COME TO THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE
I LAID him down upon the earth； and； cutting away his doublet and the shirt beneath； saw the wound； and knew that there was a journey indeed that he would shortly make。 〃The world is turning round；〃 he muttered； 〃and the stars are falling thicker than the hailstones yesterday。 Go on； and I will stay behind； … I and the wolves。〃
I took him in my arms and carried him back to the bank of the stream； for I knew that he would want water until he died。 My head was bare； but he had worn his cap from the gaol at Jamestown that night。 I filled it with water and gave him to drink； then washed the wound and did what I could to stanch the bleeding。 He turned from side to side； and presently his mind began to wander； and he talked of the tobacco in the fields at Weyanoke。 Soon he was raving of old things； old camp fires and night…time marches and wild skirmishes； perils by land and by sea； then of dice and wine and women。 Once he cried out that Dale had bound him upon the wheel； and that his arms and legs were broken； and the woods rang to his screams。 Why； in that wakeful forest； they were unheard； or why； if heard； they went unheeded； God only knows。
The moon went down； and it was very cold。 How black were the shadows around us； what foes might steal from that darkness upon us； it was not worth while to consider。 I do not know what I thought of on that night； or even that I thought at all。 Between my journeys for the water that he called for I sat beside the dying man with my hand upon his breast； for he was quieter so。 Now and then I spoke to him； but he answered not。
Hours before we had heard the howling of wolves； and knew that some ravenous pack was abroad。 With the setting of the moon the noise had ceased； and I thought that the brutes had pulled down the deer they hunted； or else had gone with their hunger and their dismal voices out of earshot。 Suddenly the howling recommenced； at first faint and far away； then nearer and nearer yet。 Earlier in the evening the stream had been between us； but now the wolves had crossed and were coming down our side of the water； and were coming fast。
All the ground was strewn with dead wood； and near by was a growth of low and brittle bushes。 I gathered the withered branches； and broke fagots from the bushes； then into the press of dark and stealthy forms I threw a great crooked stick； shouting as I did so； and threatening with my arms。 They turned and fled； but presently they were back again。 Again I frightened them away； and again they returned。 I had flint and steel and tinder box； when I had scared them from us a third time； and they had gone only a little way； I lit a splinter of pine； and with it fired my heap of wood； then dragged Diccon into the light and sat down beside him； with no longer any fear of the wolves； but with absolute confidence in the quick appearance o