Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/137

Rh "I suppose it was because I was here," admitted Robert.

"Well, then, if you go, there won't be anybody here that will trouble us, will there? Besides, I want you to tell father and the boys that some of them must come home to help us," she added illogically.

"If it was n't for this letter"— "You 've got the letter, and General Clinton will need it, too."

"Yes, that's so."

"The sooner you get it to him the sooner he 'll know, and the sooner my father and the boys will know about us, too. I 'll get you something to eat," she added quickly, "but you must n't stay to eat it here. Eat it on your way. Come, and I 'll go with you to look for your horse."

Robert turned for a moment to thank Mrs. Nott for what had been done for him and to express the hope, which was not strong in his own heart, that the home would not be molested again, and then quickly followed Hannah as she led the way to the place where his horse had been concealed. The huge dog was growling and plainly objecting to his presence, but a word from Hannah quieted the savage brute which was left to