Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/380



the voice he had heard was Russell's, Robert was convinced, but to attempt to flee was not to be thought of; for the men were near his hiding-place, and to his consternation halted not far from the door.

"Everything is clear up the river now all the way to Albany," Russell was saying.

What could he mean by the words? In spite of his own fears Robert Dorlon found himself listening, breathless with interest, to what was being said. Even his own alarm could not prevent the fear from sweeping over him that misfortunes must have overtaken the patriots, and if the statement was true, then even the forts must have fallen. Could it be true? Breathlessly he listened to the words that were spoken, and in a brief time his worst fears were confirmed.

"Yes," Russell resumed, "Sir Henry did not feel that it was wise for him to leave New York till his reinforcements came, but when thay [sic] did come he started up the river, and inside a week had cleared the way."