"Is your horse injured?"
"I am afraid he has broken his leg."
"It's a shame how some men ride! They have no more mercy than the Thirteen!" said the young woman, whom Robert now perceived to be a girl no older than himself.
The reference to the Thirteen, however, instantly caused him to stop, and he said sharply: "Do you know the Thirteen?"
"To our sorrow."
"To my sorrow I, too, know them. I have just escaped from their hands."
"Are you a soldier?" said the elder woman in a low voice.
"I am, madam."
"Where do you belong?" demanded the girl sharply.
"Not anywhere hereabouts, nor do I want to stay here. If my horse is not too tired to carry me, I 'll be gone soon."
"Did you say your horse had broken his leg?" inquired the girl.
"I said I was afraid he had."
There was a low and hasty conversation between the two women, and then the older one said, "You surely need a lantern. Will you take ours?"
"I thank you, madam."
