Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/286

270 Still the men with him swung forward on their march, moving steadily, swiftly, silently, until they almost seemed to be like one body advancing in the night. An hour had elapsed since their departure from Jacob's ruined tavern, when at a low word from the lieutenant the entire band halted. There was a brief whispered conversation between the officer and Claudius Brown, and then the latter glided away and speedily disappeared.

The band meanwhile remained motionless in the road, but the men all apparently understood that Claudius Brown had been sent ahead to ascertain if possible whether or not their friends were waiting for their arrival. It was not difficult for Robert to conclude that they must be near the fork in the road where the expected meeting was to occur, and he was well-nigh as deeply interested as his companions. What the union of the two forces might mean he clearly understood, and he found himself waiting impatiently for the return of the cowboy.

Not many minutes had elapsed when he perceived Claudius Brown coming swiftly back along the road, and the lieutenant hastily advanced to meet him. A low conversation followed, only occasional bits of which could be