"You'll have your hands full enough with Bosley and Harkness. Both will
need looking after--and carefully. Jupe I'll take with me."
Woodley remonstrates, pointing out the danger of the course his comrade
intends pursuing. He only yields as Clancy rejoins, in a tone of
determination, almost command:--
"You must do as I tell you, Sime; go on to the Mission, and take them
with you. As for me, I've a strong reason for remaining behind by
myself; a silly sentiment some might call it, though I don't think you
would."
"What is't? Let's hear it, an' I'll gie ye my opeenyun strait an'
square."
"Simply, that in this whole matter from first to last, I've een making
mistakes. So many, it's just possible my courage may be called in
question; or; if not that, my ability. Now, do you understand me?"
"Darned ef I do."
"Well; a man must do something to prove himself worthy of the name; at
least one deed during his lifetime. There's one I've got to do--must do
it, before I can think of anything else."
"That is?"
"_Kill Richard Darke_, As you know, I've sworn it, and nothing shall
come between me and my oath. No, Sime, not even she who stands yonder;
though I can't tell how it pains me to separate from her, now."
"Good Lord! that will be a painful partin'! Poor gurl! I reckin her
heart's been nigh broke arready. She hasn't the peach colour she used
to hev. It's clean faded out o' her cheeks, an' what your goin' to do
now aint the way to bring it back agin."
"I cannot help it, Sime. I hear my mother calling me. Go, now! I wish
it; I insist upon it!"
Saying this, he turns towards Helen Armstrong to speak a word, which he
knows will be sad as was ever breathed into the ear of woman.