“He will spare this one,” said Elfie, positively. “How do you know that?” demanded Alberta sharply. “By reasons.” “What reasons?” “I cannot tell you. That is, I do not feel at liberty to do so.” “HARK!” “What is the matter?” “They are coming!” exclaimed Alberta. And at this moment the galloping of horses was heard, followed by the sound of many eager voices and the trampling of many hasty feet. The next instant the door was thrown open by the guerrilla Mutchison, who stalked into the room. The two young women started up in alarm. “What is the matter?” demanded Alberta. “Madam!” exclaimed Mutchison, speaking in haste and trepidation, “the boy Gill has betrayed us! The scouts who went out in search of him have returned and report a body of the enemy’s cavalry near!” And without another word he pounced upon Elfie, lifted and threw her over his shoulder and bore her, screaming and struggling from the room. Alberta started forward to stop him, but before she had gone two paces she met Colonel Corsoni, who came hurrying towards her. He was armed and equipped for his ride, and he carried in his hand the black hat and feather fastened by the flaming carbuncle button. “Alberta, dearest—quick! Your horse is ready and waiting beside my own!” he exclaimed. And he seized up her dark hooded cloak and with his own hands wrapped it about her form. “It is true then! The enemy is upon us!” she cried. “Two companies of cavalry armed with their accursed Henry rifles! sixteen shooters, that they may load up on a Sunday and fire off all the week! What can my ninety almost unarmed men do against such a force?” “Oh! fly! fly, Vittorio! And here! take that burning carbuncle from your hat! You are known by it. And its rays shoot so far in the sunlight.” “I would almost as willingly be captured as remove the gem, _your_ gift, Alberta! placed, where it shines, by your hand!” “Then my hand will remove it again!” said Corsoni’s wife, hastily unfastening the fiery stone and concealing it in her bosom. CHAPTER XIV. THE FLIGHT. And there was mounting in hot haste.—BYRON. Then Corsoni seized her hand and drew her into the yard, where the men already mounted awaited their chief. Corsoni placed his wife on her horse and then mounted his own. Alberta, turning around, saw Elfie bound hand and foot behind Goldsborough, who was firmly seated on one of the most powerful roadsters she had ever seen. Elfie could no longer fight or struggle, but she scolded and remonstrated as vigorously as ever. “Men—if you _are_ men and not monsters—how _dare_ you look on and see such an outrage as this accomplished!” she cried, addressing the band at large. But the men were busy with their curbs, restraining restive horses, that were as eager to fly as their masters; and they had no attention to bestow on Elfie.