Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/180

164 Mrs. Nott ? How did the house get on fire ? Do you know where Mr. Nott and the boys are?"

There was a flash in the eyes of the man as Robert eagerly made his inquiries, but still he either could not or would not speak.

"Shall I take you out into the open or leave you here?"

The slumbering fire in the man's expression seemed to blaze for a moment, but he made no reply.

"Shall I leave you here?" again Robert inquired.

The man slightly nodded his head and Robert quickly turned away. Hesitating a moment, the young soldier again turned back and said, "I 'll fill up the bucket again and leave it where you can get at it. You 'll be all right in a little while now anyway, but if I meet or see any one in the road I 'll send him to you."

Ignoring the protest in the man's actions, for he had shaken his head very decidedly at the suggestion, Robert hastily refilled the bucket, placed it close to the side of the apparently helpless sufferer, and then at once remounted his horse and began to ride swiftly on his way. But he was far from feeling at