Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/172

156 with the first report of trouble from the cowboy bands.

The thought of Hannah and the possible presence in her home of her father and brothers instantly caused Robert to decide to stop there and inform them of the report of Dirck's arrest and the predicament in which Mina and her little girl had been left. The young express knew that it was not expected of him that he should delay his journey in order to be knight-errant or the defender of the helpless. Speed was one of the foremost demands upon him, and other duties must be left to other men. However, it was not difficult for him to persuade himself that he would lose no time by making a brief stop, and at the same time leave word with Mr. Nott (he was very positive that it was with the father he was to deal) that might be of service to all concerned.

Almost unaware of what he was doing, he quickened the pace of his horse and was soon speeding down the road. Aware of the perils that now might be met, he kept a sharp lookout all about him; but when he arrived at the place where the road branched and he had turned into the one that led past the home of Hannah Nott, still not a man had been seen.

When a half hour had elapsed, so swiftly