Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/400

384 "It means that you can."

"Yes, and you 're to go home with me, too."

"No, I must go back just as soon as I can get a horse."

"You are n't fit to," said Joseph eagerly. "Besides, I thought you might be glad to stay a few days with us. Hannah will be there, you know," he added demurely.

"Where?"

"At my uncle's. It is n't more than ten miles from here. And there won't be anything to do but to have a good time—no cowboys, no counterfeiters, no redcoats; just the family, for we 'll all be home. Our time is up now."

"I'd like to." Robert hesitated, for the invitation of his friend was appealing to him strongly, and for many reasons.

"You must, and that's all there is to it! Come on. We 'll go to see General Clinton this minute!"

Robert followed his friend, and in a brief time they were standing before the general. Joseph was the spokesman, and in his boyish enthusiasm he begged for permission for Robert to accompany him home. He told of his friend's recent adventures and the illness