ck at him; and, then as it seemed to dawn upon her what her pursuer
was, she slowly raised her hands imploringly towards him, the gesture
seeming to speak of itself, and say, "Don't hurt me! I am only a
helpless girl."

Then she looked up at him in wonder, for Pen raised his in turn, as he
exclaimed, "Don't run away. I want your help."

The girl shook her head.

"_Ingles_."

"_Si, si, Ingles, Ingles_. Don't go. I won't hurt you."

"_Si, si, Ingles_," said the girl with some animation now.

"Ah, she understands that!" thought Pen; and then aloud, "Help!
Wounded!" and he pointed at the open door.

The girl looked at him, then at the door, and then shook her head.

"Can you understand French?" cried Pen eagerly; and the girl shook her
head again.

"How stupid to ask like that!" muttered Pen; and then aloud, "Help!
Wounded."

The girl shook her head once more, and then started and struggled
slightly as Pen caught her by the arm.

"Don't fight," he cried. "Help! help!" And he gesticulated towards the
hut as he pointed through the door at the dimly seen bed, while the girl
held back at arm's-length, gazing at him wildly, until a happy thought
struck him, for he recalled the words that he had more than once heard
used by the villagers while he and his fellows were foraging.

"_El pano_," he cried; "_el pano_--bread, bread!" And he pointed to the
dimly seen boy and then to his own mouth.

"_Si, el pano_!" cried the girl, ceasing her faint struggle.

"_Si, si_!" cried Pen again, and he joined his hands together for a
moment before slowly beckoning their visitor to follow him into the
cottage.

He stepped in, and then turned to look back, but only to find that the
girl still held aloof, and then turned to look round again as if in
search of help. As she once more glanced in his direction with eyes
that were full of doubt, Pen walked round to the back of the rough
pallet, placing the bed between them, and then beckoned to the girl to
come nearer as he pointed downward at his sleeping patient.

Their visitor still held aloof, till Pen raised his hands towards her,
joining them imploringly, and his heart leaped with satisfaction as she
began slowly and cautiously to approach.

And now for his part he sank upon his knees, and as she watched him,
looking ready to dart away at any moment, he placed one finger upon his
lips and raised his left hand as if to ask for silence, while he uttered
softly the one w