THE TEXAN HUNTRESS. 317 



proportioned to his physical strength, that his recovery must 

 be very slow, if it come at all. Young man, I have dedi- 

 cated my life without stint or reservation to him, and although 

 it is impossible for me yet to tell the extent of the injuries I 

 have received, yet I must not stop to regard them I must 

 win that glorious mind back to the world again, cost what it 

 will to me. I count myself as nothing weighed in the scale 

 with his usefulness. He must be saved at any rate, to finish 

 his great work ! I saved your life a lost wanderer, beaten 

 down by the tempest helpless, bewildered, wounded and for- 

 lorn and now all that I ask of you is, help to save him I 

 Make no remonstrances !" as I was proceeding to deprecate 

 the disregard of self she spoke of, " make no remonstrances, 

 my son!" she said mournfully "I must require it of you 

 not to interfere with but obey me for the time. I cannot 

 be moved I will nurse him you must provide us with food 

 and water in the meanwhile. I want no farther assistance. 

 I know him best you can render no assistance to him per- 

 sonally. God only knows how far this ugly hurt of mine 

 may prove injurious. I will be careful of it for his sake, at 

 least!" 



" I promise to obey you. I feel that I owe my life to you, 

 and I will cheerfully resign it to serve you or your husband !" 



" I knew as much, my child ! I knew as much and 

 was selfish of me to remind you of obligation when you had 

 already more than trebly repaid whatever there might be, by 

 saving that dear body which lies so placid there, from the 

 defacing hands of those murderous brutes who, as with those 

 who stoned the Prophet of old knew not what they did ! 

 But it is no selfish anxiety for self that has thus made me 

 forget what was due to hospitality it was for Mm ! for his 

 dear life ! I spoke so eagerly, forgetting all things else ! 

 come, let us place him on the poor bed !" 



We immediately removed him to his place upon a raised 

 couch of dried moss and leaves, covered with skins, which had 



