Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/379

Rh and brought him food, but of reports she had heard as to what was being done by redcoats or continentals not a word would she give him. She might be disloyal to "Tom" to the extent of feeding his enemy, but beyond that not a step would she go.

On the eighth day Robert declared that he was fully recovered. His pale face and evident weakness belied his statement, but the good woman nodded her head and said, "To-morrow you shall go if you desire."

Up to this time no one had come to the shelter except the woman, and, mindful of his promise to her, Robert had not ventured from the little building. After her departure on the day when her consent to his leaving on the morrow had been given, he had left the door partly open to let in the air and shut out a part of the feeling of loneliness. His meditations were sharply interrupted as he heard the low voices of two people approaching, and in his excitement he instantly recognized one as that of Russell.