Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/195

Rh but the fellow has been here and we 'll get him before it's light. He won't go on very far in the night."

"That suits me," roared Josh. "I 'll put out the horses an' you can go in an' get ready for supper. I'm all ready now," and the roaring voice seemed to boom throughout the house.

"I 'll go in an' tell Nancy ye 're here," suggested Jacob. "You can wait here or go out t' th' well an' wash up."

As Russell started toward the well, Jacob quietly entered the house. In a moment his manner had changed completely, and instead of the lazy appearing, lawless man that he had been a moment before, he was now alert and the expression of his face had become keen and eager. Stepping softly from his hiding-place, Robert held up his hand warningly as the landlord approached, and Jacob quickly nodded his head in token that he understood.

"They 'll see yer horse, but Josh is such a lunkhead he may not know it," whispered Jacob. "They 're after you though, and no mistake."

"What shall I do?" inquired Robert, in a whisper.

For a moment Jacob hesitated and then said