The G.A. Henty by G.A. Henty

Author:G.A. Henty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, historical fiction, pirates, civil war, young adult
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2013-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

BOTH SIDES THE BORDER (Part 3)

CHAPTER 14

In Hiding

The moment the horsemen had gone by, Oswald and Roger hastily dressed again. It was three or four minutes before the girls joined them.

“We have been a long time, Oswald, but our fingers are so cold that we could not tie the strings.”

“You will soon be warm. Climbing the hill will set your blood in motion.”

There was no hurry now. They were safe until the morning.

“We will make up the hill until you are thoroughly warm, and then we will discuss matters.”

Before they were very far up the ascent, both girls declared that they were comfortably warm again.

“Well, Roger, what do you think our best course will be? The Bairds have, of course, sent horsemen along the other road. They will have heard, from the priest, that we have but a few minutes’ start; and will know that we cannot have gone far. The party who passed us will doubtless stop at Parton, the other at the next village higher up; and they will be sure that either we concealed ourselves as they passed, or have taken to the hills on one side or other of the valley. They will naturally suppose that it is this side, as it would be madness for us to plunge farther into the country to the west; and you may be sure there will be scores of men out on these hills, tomorrow, searching for us; and some of them may ride nearly to Hiniltie, to cut us off there in case we escape the searchers on the hills.

“I think that the only plan will be to hide up for a couple of days, or so; then to make our way down again to where the horses are, and then make a dash through Parton.”

“That would certainly be far the best way,” Roger said; “but how are we to manage for food for the ladies?”

“We will go on until we get to the top of the hill, Roger, and then find a sheltered spot, where they can stop. It is of no use trying to go on much farther, for the night is cloudy, and there are no stars to be seen, and we should lose our way directly, for there is no wind that would serve as a guide as to which way we were travelling. When we find a good shelter, we must stop with them; and I will make my way down to the place where the horses are, and warn the men as to what has happened, and tell them to lie quiet till I come again. I will bring back whatever food they may have with them, a big jug of water, and the four horse cloths.”

“I will go, master.”

“I would rather go myself, Roger. I am accustomed to traverse the moors at night, and am sure that I can find this place again, without difficulty.”

On nearing the top of the hill, they came upon a number of rough stones.

“We cannot do better than stop here,” Oswald said.

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