Chapter 19.10 - Shirley

You cannot climb walls. Tonight I can. You are afraid of hedges, and the beck, which we shall be forced to cross. I can cross it." They started. They ran. Many a wall checked, but did not baffle them. Shirley was sure-footed and agile. She could spring like a deer when she chose. Caroline, more timid and less dexterous, fell once or twice and bruised herself, but she rose again directly, saying she was not hurt. A quick-set hedge bounded the last field. They lost time in seeking a gap in it. The aperture when found was narrow, but they worked their way through. The long hair, the tender skin, the silks and the muslin suffered. But what was chiefly regretted, was the impediment this difficulty had caused to speed. On the other side, they met the beck, flowing deep in a rough bed. At this point a narrow plank formed the only bridge across it. Shirley had trodden the plank successfully and fearlessly many a time before. Caroline had never yet dared to risk the transit. "'I will carry you across,' said Miss Kildar. "'You are light, and I am not weak. Let me try.' "'If I fall in, you may fish me out,' was the answer, as a grateful squeeze compressed her hand. Caroline without pausing, trod forward on the trembling plank, as if it were a continuation of the firm turf. Shirley who followed, did not cross it more resolutely or safely. In their present humour, on their present errand, a strong and foaming channel would have been a barrier to neither. At the moment they were above the control either of fire or water. All still brimore, alight and aglow with bonfires, would not have stopped them, nor would calder or air, thundering in flood. Yet one sound made them pause. Scarce had they set foot on the solid opposite bank, when a shot split the air from the north. One second lapsed. Further off burst a like note in the south.