Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/387

Rh he discovered four men approaching. Evidently the sight of them had alarmed Russell; and if he feared their coming, then it must have been because he had known they were no friends of his. There was comfort in the thought, and instantly Robert shouted to the advancing men.

His voice was too feeble to make them hear at first, but his second attempt arrested their attention, and at once they ran to the place where he was standing. In advance was Joseph Nott, and never had the sight of a face been more welcome to Robert than that of his friend.

"Oh, Joe!" he almost gasped. "There's a man in there. You must get him."

"In where?" demanded Joseph quickly.

"In there! Right there!" replied Robert, pointing to the place where Russell had darted into the woods. "You must get him! He must n't get away!"

The manner of the young express, as well as his words, was sufficiently startling to cause his friend to respond instantly. Bidding Robert wait for their return where he was, Joseph called loudly to his friends, and instantly all four darted into the woods and disappeared from sight.