ridiculous under all the circumstances. You have no just cause to feel
that I am forcing myself unnecessarily upon you. Our being compelled to
take you in charge has proven as disastrous to us as to you. Personally
I can say that nothing will relieve me more than to be able to place
you uninjured into the care of your own people. I would willingly
assume great risks to that end. But while you remain here and in my
care, I shall perform my full duty toward you as though you were my own
sister. Now please listen to me, and I assure you I shall speak nothing
for the mere purpose of alarming you, but simply that you may better
comprehend the facts which must influence our present relationship. I
have sent forward Sergeant Craig with the message especially intrusted
to me for delivery, and thus, if it fail to reach its destination, I
have laid myself open to the charge of a grave military crime. In doing
this I have not only perilled my own future, but the lives of my
comrades and the faith of my commander. Yet I have deliberately chosen
to do so because I feel the impossibility of leaving you here
unprotected, and because I was unwilling to trust you alone with my
companion. I made this choice, remember, without in the least knowing
whether you were young or old, worthy of respect or unworthy. I did it
because you were a woman, alone and without friends. Whether you spurn
my protection or not will make no difference; I shall simply continue
to do what I may on your behalf until you are again in the hands of
those you trust."

"But why may I not go to them now?"

The question was impetuous, but the voice sounded more gentle. My words
had at least pierced her armor.

"Simply because I dare not permit you to traverse these roads alone," I