doors and windows closing sharply, he suddenly came out of his trance, and his naturally alert brain began to work once more.

Bewildered

“Something must be done,” he said, aloud. “And so it seems to have been left for me to do, I suppose I must do it.”

Almost in an instant a plan of action was drawn up.

“I must reach the lower ferry at the foot of Gray’s Road before the Tories,” he told himself, still speaking aloud. “But to do it I must have a swift horse and one that can stand a long run without breaking down.”

[51]That there was none such in the stable at Coopers’ he well knew; and instantly his mind went to that of the Chews’.

[51]

“They are wealthy people and ride to the hounds in season,” reasoned Nat, calling to mind some gossip of Ben’s. “And so, naturally, they have some good mounts in their barn.”

He faced toward the great stone house as he spoke, and in the darkness a smile came upon his face.

“I don’t suppose they’d be willing to lend if I went there and candidly explained what I meant to do,” he proceeded. “So the best thing I can do is to borrow first and take the risk of explaining afterward—that is, if I can find the barn in the dark.”

He sprang upon the wall and then down on the other side. As he made his way cautiously around the house he saw that all the lights, save one at the front, were out.

“There’s not much chance of my being seen—by humans, anyway,” he muttered. “But if they have any dogs about, they’ll be more likely to scent me than not.”

[52]The words had scarcely left his lips when there came a tremendous barking and the swift rush of a heavy body toward him. Luckily the brute was of a light color and the boy caught a vague glimpse of it as it bounded at him. Swinging the cudgel over his head, he brought it down with a free, double-handed sweep; there was a moaning yelp and the dog lay motionless at his feet.

[52]

“A lucky blow,” said the young mountaineer, as he jeered down at the stricken beast. “But unlucky for you, old fellow,” with a sudden qualm, “for I suppose you were only doing what it was your nature to do, after all.”

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