Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/295



better stop and see Hannah," said Joseph, laughing lightly as he spoke.

"Where is she?"

"You know where Dirck Rykman's house is?"

"Yes."

"Well, she and mother are staying now at the first house beyond Dirck's. Don't you tell her that I suggested it, but I really think she'd like to know if you 've got all the ashes out of your hair yet."

"I 'll try to do it," responded Robert eagerly. "Will you be there, too?"

"Can't tell. I'm likely to be anywhere or nowhere these days."

Robert was eager to question his friend more fully, but the importance of at once returning and securing his horse was too great to admit of any delay, and accordingly he turned away and was soon moving swiftly over the road by which he and the force, that had been planning to rescue the captive redcoats