The girl at his feet stirred and moaned. In another moment he had filled his hat with water from the river, had lifted her head upon one arm, and using the handkerchief from about his throat, was washing away the blood that matted her hair. Now that his fingers felt the wound, he realized the force of the blow stunning her, although its outward manifestation was slight. Her figure trembled in his arms and her eyes opened, gazing up wonderingly at the black outlines of his shadow. Then she made an effort as though to draw away. "Lie still a while yet, Miss McDonald," he said soothingly, "until you regain your strength." He heard the quick gasp of her breath, and felt the sudden relaxing of her muscles. "You!" she exclaimed in undisguised relief at recognition of the voice; "is it really you? Where are we? What has happened?" He told her rapidly, his face bent close, realizing that she was clinging to him again as she had once before back in the stage. As he ended, she lifted one hand to her wound. "And I am not really hurt--not seriously?" her voice bewildered. "I--I never realized I had been struck. And--and you carried me all that way--" she shuddered, looking about into the black silence. "I--I can hardly comprehend--yet. Please explain again; they are back there watching for us still, believing we are in the coach; they will follow our trail as soon as it becomes daylight. Why--why, the sky is brighter over in the east already, is n't it? What was it you said we must do?" "Get across the river; once hidden in those sand-dunes over there we 'll be safe enough." "Across the river," she repeated the words dully, sitting up to stare out toward the water. Then her head sank into her hands. "Can we--can we ever do that?" Hamlin bent forward on his knees, striving with keen eyes, sharpened by his night's experience, to learn more of what lay before them. The movement, slight as it was, served to frighten her, and she grasped him by the sleeve. "Do not leave me; do not go away," she implored swiftly. "Whatever you say is best, I will do." CHAPTER IX ACROSS THE RIVER He dropped his hand upon hers, clasping the clinging fingers tightly. "Yes, we can make it," he answered confidently. "Wait until I make sure what is out there."