Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/103



first impulse in the mind of Robert DorIon as he followed Hannah from the house was to run to the place in the woods where his horse had been left, and, leaping upon his back, to flee with all haste from the region. Nero must be somewhat rested now, he thought, and once safely mounted upon him he would have but little to fear from the marauding gang that was approaching.

His purpose was apparent even to Hannah, but as she saw her visitor about to dart around the corner of the house and run toward the woods, she said quickly, "Here! Don't do that."

"I must. They 'll get me again!"

"You are going to leave my mother and me to face these men alone?"

Instantly Robert stopped, but as he hastened back to Hannah's side the intrepid girl said, "We shall be all right. You need have no fear for us. It's you they want."