Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/299

Rh What's that?"

"Going into the fight for our liberties. Every man of the Notts is in the army, and even Hannah and her mother are not giving up. At least, that's what Joseph told me."

"Give up? Who's been talkin' 'bout givin' up, I'd like to know. I have n't."

"No, you have n't. That's so, Jacob," said Robert soothingly.

"I have n't said a word 'bout givin' up," continued Jacob. "I 've been thinkin' an' thinkin' ever since th' men went away what I should do. You went away with 'em, did n't ye? How does it happen that ye 're back here?"

In response to the question, Robert recounted the events that had occurred near the fork in the road, but even his description of the confusion and flight of the band of redcoats apparently did not arouse any enthusiasm in the heart of the landlord. His dejection and despair were too great to be lightly shaken off, and as Robert looked at him his own heart went out in sympathy to the man whose home had been so wantonly destroyed.

"I 'll tell ye what I'm goin' t' do," said Jacob, in a low, intense voice. "I 've been thinkin' it all out ever since ye left. At first