Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/229

Rh It was evidently occupied too, for a man could be seen in the yard with a yoke upon his shoulders, by means of which he was carrying some buckets to a barn on the opposite side of the road.

"Will it be safe?"

"You don't look as if you ought to be afraid," suggested Joseph, glancing at his stalwart companion for a moment.

Robert laughed as he replied: "I'm afraid for what I 've got on me as much or more than I am for myself. Do you know anything about this place or the man who lives there?" "Not a thing."

"We 'll chance it anyway. I have a little money in my pocket. We can pay him for what we get."

"Lucky fellow," murmured Joseph, as they began to quicken the pace at which they were moving.

It became evident that the farmer had discovered their approach, for he had dropped the buckets upon the ground and had seated himself upon the "horse block" by the roadside, and it was plain that he was waiting for the coming of the two men.

"You do the talking," said Robert.

Will you do the fighting?"