Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/117

Rh hastily. "There would be no use in that now."

"What shall I do, then? I 'll not stand here and let them tie me up like a winded sheep." The young man's eyes flashed as he spoke, and yet he knew how utterly useless any attempt to defend himself would be. He glanced again at the approaching men, and could see that they would be in the house in a very brief time.

"You must hide!" exclaimed Mrs. Nott.

"Where? Where? They 'll search every cranny in the house, and if I try to go out they 'll see me." Robert groaned in his excitement, and the vision of the sugar-house in New York, with all its helpless, suffering in- mates, was before him. Again his eyes flashed, and he made as if he would seize the rifle, come what might.

"In the cellar! In the garret! Somewhere! Be quick! Be quick, or it 'll be too late!" said Mrs. Nott.

"Here! Come with me!" said Hannah, who had not spoken for a brief time. "Come with me! I 'll hide you!"

Instantly Robert followed the intrepid girl as she ran swiftly up the steps of the rude stairway to the room above. There was no