Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/197

Rh he might rely upon the landlord himself. However, the young soldier was eager to hear what was being said, and as soon as the two men were seated, Jacob began the conversation.

"What did ye want t' get the young chap for?" he inquired.

"We need him," replied Russell tartly.

"Have you joined the Thirteen?"

"I joined it? Hardly," laughed Russell a bit nervously. "I use it. I am a good friend of theirs and of you, and a good many others."

"Ho, ho!" roared Josh.

"What was this trouble at the Nott's?"

"There was n't any trouble."

"I understood their house was burned up."

"It was; but it was n't any trouble to do that."

"What has become o' th' folks?"

"Who?"

"Why, the Notts."

"I can't tell you."

"Don't you know?"

"Yes."

"But ye won't tell? Is that it? Well, all I can say is I'd rather have Johnnie Burgoyne after me than Nott an' his boys."

"The boys are not so bad as the girl."