"Yes," said Cashel, ironically; "I fancy I see myself doing it, or
you either. Now then. One, two, three, and away."
They ran off together, and reached the cross roads about eight
minutes later; Gully completely out of breath, and Cashel nearly so.
Here, according to their plan, Gully was to take the north road and
run to Scotland, where he felt sure that his uncle's gamekeeper
would hide him. Cashel was to go to sea; where, he argued, he could,
if his affairs became desperate, turn pirate, and achieve eminence
in that profession by adding a chivalrous humanity to the ruder
virtues for which it is already famous.
Cashel waited until Gully had recovered from his race. Then he said.
"Now, old fellow, we've got to separate."
Gully, thus confronted with the lonely realities of his scheme, did
not like the prospect. After a moment's reflection he exclaimed: "Damme, old chap, but I'll come with you. Scotland may go and be
hanged."
But Cashel, being the stronger of the two, was as anxious to get rid
of Gully as Gully was to cling to him. "No," he said; "I'm going to
rough it; and you wouldn't be able for that. You're not strong
enough for a sea life. Why, man, those sailor fellows are as hard as
nails; and even they can hardly stand it."
"Well, then, do you come with me," urged Gully. "My uncle's
gamekeeper won't mind. He's a jolly good sort; and we shall have no
end of shooting."
"That's all very well for you, Gully; but I don't know your uncle;
and I'm not going to put myself under a compliment to his
gamekeeper. Besides, we should run too much risk of being caught if
we went through the country together. Of course I should be only too
glad if we could stick to one another, but it wouldn't do; I feel
certain we should be nabbed. Good-bye."
"But wait a minute," pleaded Gully. "Suppose they do try to catch
us; we shall have a better chance against them if there are two of
us."
"Stuff!" said Cashel. "That's all boyish nonsense. There will be at
least six policemen sent after us; and even if I did my very best, I
could barely lick two if they came on together. And you would hardly
be able for one. Yon just keep moving, and don't go near any railway
station, and you will get to Scotland all safe enough. Look here, we
have wasted five minutes already. I have got my wind now, and I must
be off. Good-bye."