“Other men have said it to me....  I have heard them swear it with tears in their eyes and calling God to witness.  And I knew all the while that they were lying—­ perjuring their souls for the sake of a ragged, unripe jade, and a wild night’s frolic....  Well—­ God made men....  I know myself, too....  To love you as you wish is to care less for you than I already do.  I would not willingly....  Yet, I may try if you wish it....  So that is all the promise I dare make you.  Come—­ take me home now—­ if you care to walk as far with me.”

“And I who am asking you to walk through life with me?” I said, forcing a laugh.

We turned; she took my arm, and together we moved slowly back through the falling dusk.

And, as we approached her door, came a sudden and furious sound of galloping behind us, and we sprang to the side of the road as the express thundered by in a storm of dust and driving pebbles.

“News,” she whispered.  “Do they bring good news as fast as bad?”

“It may mean our marching orders,” I said, dejected.

We had now arrived at Croghan’s, and she was withdrawing her arm from mine, when the hollow sound of a conch-horn went echoing and booming through the dusk.

“It does mean your marching orders!” she exclaimed, startled.

“It most certainly means something,” said I.  “Good-night—­ I must run for the fort——­”

“Are you going to——­ to leave me?”

“That horn is calling out Morgan’s men——­”

“Am I not to see you again?”

“Why, yes—­ I expect so—­ but if——­”

“Oh!  Is there an ‘if’?’ Euan, are you going away forever?”

“Dear maid, I don’t know yet what has happened——­”

“I do!  You are going!...  To your death, perhaps—­ for all I know——­”

“Hush!  And good-night——­”

She held to my offered hand tightly: 

“Don’t go—­ don’t go——­”

“I will return and tell you if——­”

“‘If!’ That means you will not return!  I shall never see you again!”

I had flung one arm around her, and she stood with one hand clenched against her lips, looking blankly into my face.

“Good-bye,” I said, and kissed her clenched hand so violently that it slipped sideways on her cheek, bruising her lips.

She gave a faint gasp and swayed where she stood, very white in the face.

“I have hurt you,” I stammered; but my words were lost in a frightful uproar bursting from the fort; and: 

“God!” she whispered, cowering against me, as the horrid howling swelled on the affrighted air.

“It is only the Oneidas’ scalp-yell,” said I.  “They know the news.  Their death-halloo means that the corps of guides is ordered out.  Good-bye!  You have means to support you now till I return.  Wait for me; love me if it is in you to love such a man.  Whatever the event, my devotion will not alter.  I leave you in God’s keeping, dear.  Good-bye.”