A. T. Quiller-Couch

“ In less than a minute, as it seem'd, I heard a pounding of hoofs, and had barely time to follow Delia up the ladder and pull it after me, when two of the dragoons rode skurrying by the house, and pass'd on yelling. Their cries were hardly faint in the distance before there came another three.
“'A's a lost man, now, for sure,” said one: “Be dang'd if 'a's not took the road back to Lan'son!” ”

“ Only now with good hope I saw a hill rising not half a mile in front, and somewhat to the right of our course: and thought I “if we can gain the hollow to the left of it, and put the hill between us, they must ride over it or round—in either case losing much time.” So, pointing this out to Delia, who rode on my left (to leave my pistol arm free and at the same time be screen'd by me from shot of the dragoons) I drove my spurs deep and called to Molly to make her best pace.
The enemy divin'd our purpose: and in a minute 'twas a desperate race for the entrance to the hollow. ”

“ And behind me a shadow fell on the doorway: and there stood Delia regarding us.
“Good lad—all yesterday I swore to be strong and wait for years, if need be. Fie on womankind, to be so weak! All day I sat an' sat, an' did never a mite o' work—never set hand to a tool: an' by sunset I gave in an' went, cursing mysel', over the moor to Warleggan, to Alsie Pascoe, the wise woman—an' she taught me a charm—an' bless her, bless her, Jack, for't hath brought thee!”
“Joan,” said I, hot with shame, taking her arms gently from my neck: “listen: I come because I am chased. ”

“ God forbid I should say a word against one that has so taken me! But in these times a man should stand alone: to make a friend is to run the chance of a soft heart: to marry a wife makes the chance sure——”
He broke off, and went on again with a change of tone—
“For many reasons I would blithely issue this warrant. But how am I to spare men to carry it out? ”

“ I ran out. 'Twas Joan herself and leading Molly by the bridle. She walk'd as if tir'd, and leaving the mare at the entrance, follow'd me into the cave. Glancing round, I noted that Delia had slipt away.
“Am glad she's gone,” said Joan shortly: “How many rebels pass'd this way, Jack?”
“Five, counting one that lies gagg'd and bound, down at the cottage.”
“That leaves four:”—she stretch'd herself on the ground with a sigh—“four that'll never trouble thee more, lad.”
“Why? how——”
“Listen, lad: sit down an' let me rest my head 'pon thy knee. Oh, Jack, I did it bravely! ”