Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/319



first impulse to flee was restrained as Robert watched the giant drawing near, for though it would be possible for him to dart past the clumsy man, it would be to leave Hannah alone with him, and he was not prepared for that. Besides, his horse was in the barn, and Robert Dorlon had no thought of losing his faithful friend, without at least an attempt to retain him.

As Josh drew near, Robert could perceive that he himself had been recognized, but the great moon-face of the giant did not betray either anger or surprise, and Robert, prepared to act as occasion might demand, waited quietly for the man to enter.

"Ho! ho!" roared Josh. "What's this I see?"

"Depends upon what you are looking at, I fancy," replied Robert sharply.

"Ho! ho! So it does! So it does!" shouted Josh. "Going with me?"

"Where are you going?"