Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/250

234 "What do you mean?"

"Jest what I'm tellin' ye. Business is all gone, an' every day or so there's somebody here that makes me almost decide t' quit an' leave."

"Jacob, did you know that Josh and Russell followed me when I left here?"

"I s'spected they did. In fact, I heard as much."

"How do you think they got horses?"

"Some o' their men were right near here all the time. They prob'ly took their horses and started."

"Has Russell been here since?"

"No. But he's likely to come most any time."

"What makes you think so?"

"I 've got my reasons."

"Have you suffered any because you helped me that day?"

"Not yet."

"I hope you won't. Jacob, I won't stop here now if you think I 'll be likely to make any trouble for you."

"It 'll be time enough t' talk o' that when I begin it myself," said the landlord solemnly. "I have n't turned ye away yet, have I?"