"Are ye better?" she questioned. Now at this I wondered, for the voice
matched the eyes for gentleness.
"Thank you, much better."
"He hurt you more than I thought."
"It was the blow on the head--slight concussion, I think."
"And you stands up to him like--"
"You mean I ran away like a coward."
"He was twice as big as you--"
"No matter! Cowardice is always despicable, more especially in defence
of one of the weaker sex," said I dismally.
"But you saves me, to be sure!"
At this I strove to rise in sheer amazement and thus found my head
pillowed in her lap.
"How did I save you?" I demanded bitterly. "I that am a craven!"
"By giving me the chance to reach my little _churi_. However, I
was never once afraid of the beast."
"I was!" I confessed miserably. "Afraid beyond words!"
"But you comes running back, and very fierce too!"
"I meant to kill him!"
"Why trouble to kill him?"
"I could not bear he should foul you in his brutal arms!"
Here came her hand to touch my aching brow and I closed my eyes again.
"Does your head ache very much?" she enquired.
"A little!" I groaned.
"Can ye walk?" she enquired. "'Tis goin' to storm and rain on us soon,
I think--can ye walk a small ways?"
For answer I got to my knees and, with her ready assistance, to my
feet, but found myself very faint and sick and with my head throbbing
as though it would burst.
"Come!" said she, taking my hand in her warm, strong, clasp.
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