Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/136

120 "Get up, then!" said Hannah to the prostrate man. "Take yourself away and tell your friends that the next time they come here there 'll be some men to give them a welcome."

Claudius Brown waited for no second invitation. Leaping to his feet he darted through the open door, and began to run toward the road in the direction in which his recent companions had disappeared. He limped somewhat as he ran, and it was evident that the attentions which the dog had bestowed upon him had not been without effect; but the man did not once glance behind him, and soon could no longer be seen.

"Now you take your horse and go, too, Robert!" said Hannah sharply.

"I don't like to leave you here alone," began Robert. "I"— "Never mind what you like or what you don't like! We 're not alone, and we 're not afraid, either!"

"I know," began Robert hesitatingly, for his own duty was indeed apparent, but he disliked to leave the women unprotected.

"Did the cowboys come because we were here, or you were here?" demanded Hannah sharply.