Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/93

Rh "Where I came from," replied Robert, laughing lightly. The assertiveness of his questioner amused him, and yet he was pleased with her friendliness, and her outspoken sympathy for the cause of the colonies found a warm response in his own heart.

"You need n't be so careful," said the girl. "We know which side you are on, and as long as it is our side, too, you need n't be afraid of us."

"How far is it to Fort Montgomery?" inquired Robert.

"It's too long a ride for you to think of taking to-night," said the older woman.

"I must."

"No, you must not. Your horse could never make it. Bring him with you and stay with us to-night. It will be safer for you to go on in the daytime anyway, and you 'll do better if your horse is rested."

"But I don't like to trouble you."

"It will be time enough to avoid that when you do trouble us. Come now, and Hannah and I will look after your horse, and you can get some rest yourself. If you 've been with the Thirteen, you 'll need that as much as your horse does."

For a moment Robert hesitated, and then