Zoiloff was mounted by then, and I wrung his hand.
"Guard her with your life, friend."
"With my life," he answered to the full as earnestly as I.
The plucky little Broumoff was already in the cart, with Spernow close to her, and in another moment I was by her side.
There was still no sign of any troopers, and as for my scheme it was necessary that they should see us, I led my party round to the front.
"When you hear the sound of our wheels, steal off at once, and make across the fields there for the road," I said, as a last word; "you will be out of sight in the mist before the men have a thought that we are not all together. Good-bye, and may God speed you!"
"Amen to that," came in Zoiloff's deep voice, and for the last time I met Christina's eyes.
When I reached the front of the house I waited a moment, listening intently, and then hearing the sound of horsemen coming up the lane I started my horses, and as soon as we were through the gate I whipped them and dashed along the lane at a smart gallop, just as the foremost couple of troopers loomed into sight through the shroud of the white mist.
