Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/298

282 "Everything is wrong," replied Jacob, in a low voice as he stopped again.

"I know it, Jacob. It's terrible! Every one of the villains ought to hang for it. But you are not the only one to suffer, Jacob," he added, attempting to console him.

"What's that got to do with it?" demanded Jacob harshly.

"Not much, I know. Still, it is n't quite as if you were the only one to suffer, you know."

"I don't see it."

"Have you done anything with my horse?" inquired Robert. "‘Horse?' 'Horse?' What should I be doing with horses at a time like this? Just look at that, will you?" demanded Jacob, his voice breaking as he spoke and a great sob escaping him. "Here I 've lived ever since I was married. Here I wanted to live all my days. But the sooner it's all ended now the better for me," he added disconsolately.

"The Notts had their house burned, and by the same rascals, too," suggested Robert.

"That does n't alter my case. I'm sorry for them, but just tell me what I'm to do, will you?" he demanded savagely.

"I don't know, Jacob, unless you do just what the others are doing."