And as they rode there came a faint hail from the front--and thrice repeated. The track at that point led through a wood and was straight away for half a mile, then it swung to the left. Just near the turn were two hors.e.m.e.n; and the rearmost, when he saw his cry had been heard, waved his hat and gesticulated violently toward the other, who was several lengths in front. Both were coming at top speed.
Sir James Dacre puckered his eyes and peered ahead.
"My sight is rather poor," he said, "but from yonder fellow"s motions, I take it he wants us to stop the other--an escape doubtless."
Just then the one in the lead shot through a patch of sunlight and both Knights cried out.
"A woman!" said De Lacy.
"The Countess!" exclaimed Dacre. "What may it mean?"
"She went riding with Lord Darby shortly after mid-day," said Aymer.
"And that is Darby," added Dacre, as the sun hit the second horseman.
"Pardieu! I do not understand--it cannot be she is fleeing from him."
They drew rein, and watched the approaching pair.
"Well, if she is, she is succeeding," Aymer observed. "She is gaining on him at every jump. St. Denis! how that horse of hers can run!"
"It is Wilda, the bay mare I spoke of. But see, Darby still waves.
What in Heaven"s name ails the man? Can it be the mare has bolted?"
De Lacy shook his head. "The Countess is making no effort to control her; the reins are hanging loose."
Then they heard the first faint beat of the hoofs, growing louder and louder, and presently with it Darby"s cry:
"Stop her! Stop her!"
"Maybe, my lord," said De Lacy, leaning forward, his eyes intent upon the Countess; "if the lady wish it she will signal."
Two hundred yards away now came Wilda running at terrific speed, but straight and true. Suddenly De Lacy swung Selim around.
"It is a runaway," he called to Dacre, "the reins are useless." And even as he said it the Countess told him the same by a motion of her hand.
A moment more and she swept between them; but beside her went the black, leap for leap with the bay. Then Aymer saw the trouble--the bit had broken in the bar, tearing the mouth badly, and from each cheek-strap dangled a useless half, which striking the frightened mare on the muzzle kept driving her to top speed.
The Countess gave De Lacy a quick smile.
"I am trying to enjoy it," she said, "but I think I am dreadfully frightened."
Aymer glanced at the road--it was straight and level for another four hundred yards, then it disappeared, and he remembered it pitched sharply forward in a rough and twisting descent. Whatever he did must be done quickly--no horse ever foaled could carry its rider down that declivity at such a speed.
"Death waits yonder," he said, pointing to the brow of the hill. "I must lift you to my saddle. Will you risk it?"
She hesitated; then suddenly loosed her foot from the stirrup.
"I am ready," she said--and smiled again.
De Lacy dropped his reins.
"Closer, Selim, closer," he commanded.
The black; drew over until his master"s boot was pressing the Countess"s saddle girth.
"When I give the word," said De Lacy, "free yourself from the pommel and catch me around the neck."
The Countess nodded. "I understand," she said, and gave a quick look forward. The hill was getting very near.
He reached over and wound his right arm about her slender waist.
"Now!" he said sharply.
For a second the Countess hung in the air between the plunging horses; then the bay shot ahead alone--and she rested safely across De Lacy"s saddle, his arms about her and hers about his neck.
Of his own accord the black had instantly slackened speed, and now at the word he stopped, and the Countess dropped lightly to the ground.
"How can I ever thank you?" she said, giving Sir Aymer her hand.
"By not trying to," he answered, dismounting and kissing her fingers almost reverently. "Fortune has already blessed me over much."
She turned to Selim, who was standing quietly beside his master.
"I may at least thank you, you beauty," she said, and kissed his soft black muzzle.
De Lacy smiled. "Never before have I wished I were a horse," he said.
A bit of color flashed into her cheeks and she busied herself in twisting into place a roll of ruddy hair that had been shaken from its fastenings. It took an unusual time, it seemed, and just as she finished Sir James Dacre rode up.
"I claim a share in the rescue," he said gayly, and gave the Countess her hat, that had been lost when she changed horses. Then silently he held out his hand to De Lacy; and afterward he petted the black and whispered in his ear. And Selim answered by a playful nip, then rubbed his nose against his master"s palm.
At that moment Lord Darby dashed up, his horse blown, its sides b.l.o.o.d.y with rowelling and flecked with foam.
"Thank G.o.d, Countess," he exclaimed, "you are not injured."
"Not so much as scratched, thanks to Sir Aymer de Lacy."
"Aye, Sir Aymer, it was cleverly done," said Darby; "a neater rescue methinks I never saw."
De Lacy bowed. "Whatever credit there may be, belongs solely to Selim," he said. "But for his speed and intelligence I had never reached the Countess." Then he led the black forward. "And he asks the honor of carrying her back to Pontefract."
"Not so," Darby interrupted; "that is my privilege," and he swung his own horse around.
The Countess was struggling with her hat.
"But Wilda," she protested.
"Is at the castle now, if she made the hill in safety," said Dacre, watching the scene with the glint of a smile.