We waited an hour, Will objecting whenever either of us proposed
to return and speed Miss Vanderman.

"Aw, what's the use? D'you suppose she doesn't know we're waiting?"

At last Fred proposed that Will himself go and investigate. He went
through the form of demurring, but yielded gracefully.

"The spirit," Fred chuckled, "is weak, and the flesh is willing!"

Will handed his mule's reins to an Armenian and started alone up-hill
through the pitch-dark forest; and because the world is mixed of
unexpectedness and grim jest in fairly equal proportions, five minutes
after he left us Gloria Vanderman came leading the women by
another path.

To avoid confusion with our part, and for sake of silence, she had
led them a circuit, and except for the occasional wail of a child
and a little low talking that blended like the hum of insects with
the night, they made very little noise. The rear was brought up
by the strongest women carrying the sick and wounded on litters that
had been improvised in a hurry, and like most things of
the sort were much too heavy.

"Your mule is ready," said I. But she shook her head.

"You gentlemen must give your mules up to the sick and wounded.
We well ones can walk."