It means capture if we go on. I cannot expose my
friends to the dangers. Let me be put down here, and
do you drive on to safety. I shall fai-e much better
than you think, for I am young and strong and "

" No! I'll risk it," she cried. " You must go into
the city. Tell them so and say that I will protect you
with my own life and honor."

Fever made him submissive ; her eyes gave him con-
fidence; her voice soothed his fears, if he possessed
them. Leaning from the window, he called his men
together. Beverly looked on in wonder as these
strange men bade farewell to their leader. Many of
them were weeping, and most of them kissed his hand.
S8 BEVERLY OF GRAUSTARK

There were broken sentences, tear-choked promises,
anxious inquiries, and the parting was over.
" Where are they going? " Beverly whispered, as
they moved away in the dusk.
" Back into the mountains to starve, poor fellows.
God be kind to them, God be good to them," he half
sobbed, his chin dropping to his breast. He was
trembling like a leaf.
"Starve?" she whispered. "Have they no
money? "

" We are penniless," came in muffled tones from the
stricken leader.
Beverly leaned from the window and called to the
departing ones. Ravone and one other reluctantly ap-
proached. Without a word she opened a small travel-
ing bag and drew forth a heavy purse. This she
pressed into the hand of the student. It was filled
with Graustark gawos, for which she had exchanged
American gold in Russia.
