“Yes, I suppose you do.” She stood up and moved to her own bag, picked up her tennis shoes, and sat down to put them on.

In one lurching motion Eric was at her side and snatched her shoes away. “No, Nicole. Not you.”

She stared up at him, too stunned to speak.

“We have only one horse, remember? With the pack on it to carry the essentials I need, there isn’t room for two people. One of us would have to walk, and neither of us can do that.”

Suddenly she was frightened. “You can’t just leave me here.”

“As soon as I get down, we’ll call the Guardians and send them for you.”

She glanced quickly at the darkness of the surrounding forest. “Eric, no, please, not alone. I can walk with my cane. My foot is feeling better. I’ll keep up.”

He shook his head.

She jerked away angrily. “I’m going. Give me back my shoes.”

He moved away to the packhorse and stuffed her shoes into a small bag tied onto the pack. “No, you know you can’t walk very far.” He dragged the radio over and hoisted it up and tied it on the pack.

“Then at least call the Guardians now. Tell them where I am. Have them come for me.”

He shook his head.

“Why?” And then she knew the answer. “Eric, I won’t tell them about you. I won’t let them know what you’re doing.”

He finished tying the radio down and turned to face her. “Come on, Nicky, be realistic. That won’t work, and you know it.”

“It will. I promise I won’t give you away.”

He bent over the pile of gear, then straightened. “Here’s the hatchet. The flashlight is under my pillow. I wish I could leave you the pistol, but I may need it tomorrow.”

“Please, Eric. Please don’t leave me alone. I give you my solemn word I won’t tell them anything. Perhaps I can persuade the Major not to hurt Cliff. I can tell him that you let me go. Why won’t you believe me?”

“I do believe you,” he said as he hauled himself up on the horse. “But I know Travis and the Major too well. They’d have it out of you in two minutes.”

“But why are you taking my shoes?”

“I’m afraid you’ll try and follow me and get lost. Then they’ll never find you.”

“So much for promises,” she cried bitterly.

“Please sit down until I’m gone, Nicole. And tie Cricket up so she doesn’t follow me. She’ll keep animals away from the camp.”