“I don't know. What can we do? Do you think we could get away?” “Sure thing.” “But how?” “We 'll sneak back a ways and off to one side in the woods. He can't come back and search the whole county for us. Don't you see?” “But wouldn't _they_ catch us?” She glanced toward the east, whence pursuit might come. “Not a bit of it. Just trust me. Come on--now's the time. Move cautious till we get on the road.” He helped her up, and they stole away. For a few moments she was buoyed up by this new excitement, but soon fell back into the old weariness. She clung to Roche until he was almost carrying her. “Keep a-going,” he whispered. “I 'll skip back to the house and pick up something to eat, and then we 'll take to the woods. They can't never catch me, I tell you. _I 'll_ fool 'em.” They struggled along. Halfway back to the farm-house Estelle completely lost heart. “I can't do it!” she moaned. “Stop--let me sit down.” “Not here, Estelle! Not in the road!” “Let me down, I tell you!” “But he may be along any minute.” “I don't care. Let me down.” “Look here, Estelle, can't you see how it is? If he gets you, he 'll half kill you. And you 'll have to walk farther with him than you would with me.” She was beyond reason. She clung around his neck, holding herself up even while she begged to be let down. Her condition and the terrible loneliness of the night were unnerving Roche. “Come along,” he said angrily, “or I 'll make you come!” “Don't hurt me!” “By------! Don't you say another word!” He jerked her roughly forward, while his wild eyes sought the road behind. “You said you'd be good to me!” “Well, ain't I good to you? Ain't I saving your life, and you haven't got the sense to see it?” “O dear! Don't--” “Keep still, now--come on--Don't you say any more.”