Patsey had said but little during the anxious time of waiting.

From time to time she murmured: "Will he never come?
Oh, God, send him to us!" Presently a mounted officer rode past.
"Ride on! ride on!" he shouted.

"The Blues will be here in a minute!" "We must go, Patsey," Leigh said as, without drawing rein, the officer rode on.
"No, no; wait a few minutes, Leigh.

He will surely come soon." Presently, however, a number of peasants, their faces blackened with powder, ran past.
"The Blues are on our heels!" they shouted.

"They will be here in a minute; they are but a hundred yards away." "Come, Patsey," Leigh said.