Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/105

Rh dig in the great pile of wood ashes that was standing near.

Still Robert was mystified by the actions of the girl, and said, "What are you doing? I can't stay here like this!"

Apparently disregarding his question, Hannah continued to work desperately until she had made a great opening in the ashes. Then turning to Robert she said sharply, "Now shut your eyes and your mouth! Keep that goose-quill between your teeth and do just what I tell you to do!" "What's that?"

"Get in there!" she exclaimed. "Do as I tell you! Don't stand there like a hitching-post. Get in! Get in!" she added, her voice almost breaking in her excitement. "I'm going to cover you up, eyes, ears, nose, and everything! Do what I tell you! Did you ever see such a man!" she added angrily, as Robert hesitated for a moment. "Be quick, or I 'll drop the shovel and leave you! Claud Brown may not ask you to hide in an ash-heap! He 'll put you where you won't need any goose-quills! Are you going to do as I say?"

The excitement of the girl, the near approach of danger, the certainty that he would be taken again, all combined to make Robert