Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/175



moan had been heard from the bushes that grew not far from the kitchen door, and the sound had broken in upon the young soldier's thoughts in a manner that had startled him. He glanced hastily about the place, but still no one could be seen. Robert, his heart beating furiously and a sudden fear sweeping over him, leaned forward on his horse's neck and listened intently. For a brief time the oppressive silence was unbroken, and then once more the sound was heard, and there was no mistaking its meaning or the place from which it had come.

Again looking hastily all about him to make certain that he was not seen by watchful eyes and being led into a trap of some kind, Robert leaped from the back of his horse and cautiously approached the bushes from which the startling sound had issued. He held his pistol in his hands and still was peering intently about him as well as before him. The quiet of the summer day was unbroken, and save for