Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/230

214 "I 'll do my share, but we shan't have any trouble. The old fellow is as mild and gentle as a dove."

Joseph made no response, and in a brief time the young soldiers drew rein on their horses as they halted in front of the man, who was seated on the section of a huge tree that served as a family horse block. He was an old man and his gray hair (he wore no hat) was thin, and one arm was apparently twisted and drawn out of shape. Evidently there was nothing to be feared from the man himself, but Joseph nevertheless was cautious, and after he had given the morning salutation he said, "We want some breakfast."

"Can't say that ye 're the first men I 've heard of in the same fix."

"Can we get some here? We 'll pay for it," Joseph added hastily.

"Pretty good horses ye 've got there," replied the man, apparently ignoring the question and glancing at the four horses as if he appreciated every one of their good points.

"Yes. We want them fed, too. Can you give them some oats?"

"Where might ye be goin'?"

"We 'might' be going in a good many ways, but the fact is that just now we don't