Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/78

62 "Ye 'll have somethin' for me," he said, "when ye come back, an' 't won't be healthy for ye t' lose it or t' let anything happen to it, either! I shall expect ye here inside o' four days. I 'll be on hand to meet ye."

"Where's my horse?" Robert ventured to inquire, feeling that boldness might be his safest course.

"Where ye left it."

"I 'll start now; that is, if you have n't any other word to give me."

"I 've said my say. Here's yer horse. Josh has brought it," he added.

Robert turned and beheld Josh approaching, leading Nero by the bridle. A fresh fear of discovery came upon him, but he quickly took the horse by the bridle and leaped into the saddle.

"Here, ye better lead him till ye come t' the road," suggested Brown.

Robert made no response save to speak low to his horse, and start him into a run, for the dull-witted Josh had perceived who it was that was mounting the steed, and with a roar that could have been heard far away was shouting his discovery.