Part 19 (1/2)
The meeting with Mr. Lee was for Rodney another pleasant experience; a fine man, and what an agreeable voice he had! Then the lad turned Nat's head toward home, well pleased with the success that so far had attended his journey.
Two days of travelling brought him to the neighbourhood of his old home. He was aware of a dull ache in his throat as he rode by the school house. It seemed as if he saw his father bowed over the rude bench within. In the distance he caught a glimpse of ”The Hall.” There was a feeling of homesickness with it all, and he would have given all that his scant purse contained to see Lisbeth and have her know that he had become a person of some importance. Wouldn't the squire rave if he knew the errands he had in charge. Ah, but those stiff-necked Tories would have to yield!
As he rode past ”The Hall” he looked long at the house. The squire galloped up behind and pa.s.sed him with a stare and a salute, not recognizing him.
”I wonder he didn't remember Nat,” thought Rodney, and it was surprising because the squire was a great admirer of a good horse and knew the ”points” of all the best in the county.
A little farther along lived the Roscomes. There he was sure of finding a place to spend the night. It was then about four in the afternoon. He would have time to get his supper and then ride up on the hill for one more look at the familiar view.
The Roscomes, father and son, owned but a small plantation, but their hospitality was princely and it was with difficulty he got away for the hill.
Hitching Nat in a grove at the foot, he climbed to the top just in season to see the sunset and the extended view, which had been so familiar to him, so that he felt well repaid. On his way back, and as he was unhitching the horse, he heard voices in the road which ran near the grove.
”I say, me 'earty, I've about enough o' this dirty country. I'd like to put me two legs across the back of a fine 'orse, an' I'd ask no questions of the owner.”
”Right ye are, Bill. At the speed we're walkin' we'll git to Occoquan about midsummer, I'm thinkin'.”
”They've 'orses in plenty 'ereabout to go with their muddy roads.
They'd not miss a couple, though they think more of a 'orse than they do of a n.i.g.g.e.r, I'm told.”
”We'd have two an' ask no questions, but they've both dogs and n.i.g.g.e.rs, an' one or both always sleeps in the stable.”
”I tell ye wot, d'ye mind the lad and girl go riding by when we was eatin' a bite beside the road, along back?”
”I did an' thought ridin' would do me a sight more good than them.”
”They wouldn't 'ave no guns an' would be easy to scare. Suppose if we meet 'em we give 'em the 'int an' not wait for an answer?”
”We'd have the whole country at our heels.”
”An' there wouldn't be a 'orse in the lot could overtake us or me eye knows not a good one.”
Rodney looked to the priming of his pistols, then mounted Nat and followed slowly after the men.
CHAPTER XIX
RODNEY TO THE RESCUE
It would not be true to say that Rodney Allison was not nervous as he gripped the handle of the big pistol he drew from its holster, and c.o.c.ked it.
Whether the men were armed he did not know. If they failed to meet the two riders they sought they might conclude one horse would be better than none and attack him. Indeed, this seemed very probable; besides, if they should attack the other parties, the boy resolved he would take a hand in the affair.
A little farther on, the road on which he was riding crossed the highway leading to Roscome's. The men probably were waiting at the corner. He decided to ride slowly and await developments.
In event of attack he would spur Nat directly against them and use the pistol!
The frogs were croaking in the nearby meadow. The sound jarred on his tense nerves.
”I say, sir, be this the road to Occoquan?”