Quotation from: The Valley of the Moon

Written by: Jack London

He led the retreat, holding Saxon's arm, and Bert, giggling and
jubilant, brought up the rear with an indignant Mary who
protested vainly in his unheeding ears.

For a hundred yards they ran and twisted through the trees, and
then, no signs of pursuit appearing, they slowed down to a
dignified saunter. Bert, the trouble-seeker, pricked his ears to
the muffled sound of blows and sobs, and stepped aside to
investigate.