The Bairn of Brianag

We heard the sound of the horse's feet approaching; we went out onto the porch. My saddle bags lay there next to the steps. Pete came around the cabin leading the horse. He took the saddlebags and tied them on, then helped me to mount.

I felt strong and competent; as I took the horse's reins and sat up straight, the horse flicked his ears back at me; I patted his neck. "We shall go home, my beauty," I said. "We shall go home." I turned him to the path, and with Rabbit and Pete following, arrived at the road in front of the house.

It was still early; aside from the post, there was no one about. He was a roughly dressed man with a dark beard; I reined the horse in and nodded to him.

"Do you mean to accompany me to Fort Christopher, then?" he asked.

"I do."

He nodded toward Rabbit, about to speak, but before he could say anything else, we heard the sounds of a carriage and horses; I looked to see it approaching the house from the direction of the stables. As it drew near, another horse galloped up, and Robbie was its rider.

I could not speak, but only stared at him. Rabbit held onto my saddle's stirrup; I could feel her tremble.

"Your carriage, madam!" said Robbie.

"My-" I stammered. Anger rose in me; my voice returned. "What does this mean, Robbie?"

He rode his horse close to me. "Do believe me such a sorry protector that I would allow you to travel to Brianag alone?" he said, his voice low, his eyes brilliant upon mine.

"Do you think so little of me as your husband? It is my duty to protect you, Jessie." He backed away, raised his voice. "Get into the carriage at once, madam."

More riders were approaching; I looked around. There must have been fifteen, and Charles was among them. Tears filled my eyes, though I could not at that moment identify the emotion which summoned them forth. I took Pete's hand and slid from my horse, and then he helped me into the carriage.

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We traveled swiftly. As the day wore on, I was obliged to acknowledge to myself that I would not have been able to make the journey on horseback, unless it had been by sheer force of will. The incessant jouncing of the carriage was exhausting to me. I dozed from time to time but would be awakened by a particularly violent jolt. Rabbit offered bits of cheese and bread to me, but I refused; my stomach was uneasy. At last, in the afternoon, we stopped at an inn to change horses and to have a meal.