Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/196

180 quietly, "Can ye stand it to stay right here behind this door?"

"Yes."

"Then ye better do it. I'm afraid ye'd be heard or seen if ye was to try to get away now. Besides, ye may hear somethin' to yer advantage."

Robert quickly took a position behind the door which Jacob pushed back against the wall, and then placed a rock, which was used to hold it in place, against it to prevent it from moving from its position. He then went into the kitchen and gave his directions to his wife, who at once began to prepare supper for the latest comers.

A half hour had elapsed when the two men entered the room and seated themselves at the table where Robert himself had recently been, and the boniface remained to attend to the wants of his guests himself. In his hiding-place Robert could hear every word that was spoken, but he knew that his peril would be great if he should be discovered. He had more fear of Russell with his quick ways than of Josh with his great strength but ungainly and awkward form ; but at the worst there were only two to be faced, and somehow Robert believed that, in the event of serious trouble,