The Keepers of the People

1173Lord Lisdor turned, cried, “Ralph Falcon! Well I’m damned!” and sat down laughing harshly; and there came a rattling crash of rifles, as the Varandal horsemen came on the Cossacks. For once Prince Ralph forgot the fight; he shook off the clinging man in black; bent down from the saddle, swung Ruth up before him; and rode back down the road, bearing her in his arms from any danger of a flying bullet. The rifles were cracking merrily behind them, the Cossacks were yelling; and beyond the reach of danger, he lifted her to his face and kissed her.

1174She threw her arms round his neck, drew herself to him, and said in a broken, hushed voice, “Ralph, Ralph, oh, Ralph!”

1175He swayed in the saddle, and pushed on down the road with her, till coming suddenly into the blinding glare of the plain, they awoke.

1176He shook himself, and waved up half a dozen horsemen who led spare horses, and horses loaded with provisions; bade them give her food and wine in the shade; and rode back swiftly down the road. He galloped through the clearing: the rifle-shots were ringing from far away: and came out on the other side of the belt of timber to see his men a mile out on the plain, right on the flying Cossacks, whom they were shooting and cutting down, while their course was marked by fallen men and horses. He let them go another mile, then blew a recalling blast on his horn: he had no wish that they should ride into an ambush, or fall foul of the main body of the Russians: and trotted back to Lord Lisdor. He found the little party gathered round the dying poet, and dismounted beside him. There was a rasping rattle in his throat; his eyes were rolling painfully; it was a matter of minutes. They watched him, silent; and of a sudden he seemed to gather his waning senses, drew himself upright in Lord Lisdor’s arms, smiling, his blinking eyes wandering round the glade, seeking something; and he said very quickly, “Beautiful child! Beautiful child! Beautiful child!”

1177He stopped short, his eyes puzzled, bewildered at not finding what they looked for; then on a great choking gasp that set the blood pouring from his lips, fell back heavily, with fixed eyes, and hanging jaw.

1178Lord Lisdor laid him flat, very gently, and rising, said, “Poor chap!”