George put him on his great riding
cloak and spread a saddle blanket over him. Then when he read a fresh
command in the highwayman's dark eyes he faltered.
"Dick, old friend - I cannot."
"I am shot through the breast, and again through the side. You promised
that when I came to this pass, you would grant the liberation I seek in
death."
"I cannot. From any hand but mine may you find release."
"Very well" answered Dick, resolutely, "my own hand shall be given the
power to save my immortal soul." He wrote laboriously on a bit of
paper, "Rattlesnake Dick dies but never surrenders, as all true Britons
do."
"Go, George," he said gently, "but first give me my pistol. I have in
my pocket here a letter from the sweetest of women. It says, 'I have
grieved but never despaired, for I have prayed to the Father that he
would restore you to the paths of rectitude, and I say faithfully, He
will save you. He sees in your heart a secret wish to be a better man.
'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added
thereunto.
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