Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/48

32 what he was doing, he stooped and picked up a stout club and proceeded with increased caution on his way. He glanced keenly about him as he entered the narrower roadway, and the sudden movement of a rabbit in the brush almost caused him to cry aloud, so startling was the sound in the midst of the tense silence. He began again to run, but quickly checked his speed, and could see that he was now within a few yards of the more open place. His alarm was groundless, he assured himself, and with a sigh of relief he was about to step forth into the light when directly across his pathway appeared four men.

So startled was Robert Dorlon by the unexpected appearance that at first he was tempted to believe they were shadows and not living men; but the hail of one of them instantly drove all such suspicions from his mind.

"You travel late, young man," said one of them gruffly.

"Or early," responded Robert quickly, laughing nervously as he spoke.

Who were these men? Was it possible they were friends? Rumors of the activities of both the cowboys and the skinners had