# The Rider of the Black Horse/Chapter 20
### CHAPTER XX AT JACOB'S TAVERN ONCE MORE

It was a clear morning in August when Robert Dorlon set forth from the American camp again to be the "express" of the commander and to carry a letter to the army in the north. There had come to the leaders an increasing hope that, in spite of the failures and difficulties that thus far had beset the attempts to check the invasion by John Burgoyne, the outlook was not altogether dark, and this feeling almost unconsciously had come to be shared in by the men.
At all events, there was a spirit of determination in Robert Dorlon's heart to do his utmost, and as he entered the wilder region beyond the boundaries of the camp, the very surroundings seemed to stimulate him. Not only had he now the opportunity to redeem his apparent failure in his preceding journey, but there was also an added interest as he thought of the exciting experiences which were likely to be his before he should return; for, in spite of the perils that must be faced, there was a ​glow in his heart such as might come to almost any man of his years at such a time.
Whatever might befall him, the letter which he was carrying this time should not be lost come what might, he assured himself. And yet in the midst of his determination there was also an eagerness to learn what the fate of Dirck Rykman had been. Perhaps, also, he might see Jacob Gunning once more, for he was planning to go by the same route by which he and Joseph had returned to Morristown. The thought of Joseph naturally brought also the thought of his sister Hannah, and though he was aware that there was slight probability of his seeing the eager-hearted, fearless girl on his trip, for he might not stop even to make inquiries, nevertheless he was hoping that somehow he might at least have a word with her before his journey was ended. Then, too, there was the huge Josh and the dastardly leader of the Thirteen, Claudius Brown. Perhaps their evil deeds were at an end now, and they had been seized by the outposts of General Clinton. He heartily wished that it might prove to be so, though in the unsettled condition of affairs in the region of the Hudson there was slight likelihood of such good fortune, especially when they were aided by such ​a smooth and keen rascal as he was assured the Tory Russell was.
The early part of his journey was uneventful. Not even did he stop when a heavy thunder shower occurred near nightfall; but he was nevertheless rejoiced when soon after the skies had cleared he found himself near a farmhouse where he had been directed to stop for the night.
It was nearly noon of the third day when he beheld near the road before him the tavern of Jacob Gunning, and he quickened his pace as he gazed alertly all about him. But the peaceful summer day gave no sign of danger. A haze rested on the valley below, the metallic sounds of the locusts were heard in all directions, and the changing tints of the foliage added a coloring to the quiet scene. Not a person could be seen about the tavern as Robert rode up in front of the piazza, and even his hail at first received no response.
Dismounting, he led his horse by the bridle toward the open door of the barn, but he had not entered when Jacob Gunning himself appeared and without a word gazed at the new-comer. In appearance the landlord was even more lanky than when Robert had last seen him, and somehow it seemed to the young ​soldier that Jacob's bearing betokened a nameless anxiety or fear.
"Well, Jacob, here I am again," said Robert cheerily.
"So I see."
"You don't seem to be very glad to see me. Anything gone wrong?"
"Everything," replied Jacob moodily.
"That 's too bad. Perhaps it will"—
"How long ye plannin' t' stay here?" interrupted Jacob.
"Not very long. I want to get something to eat and I want to feed my horse. I shan't bother you long."
"I s'pose ye 're on th' same bus'ness ye were the last time?" suggested Jacob.
Yes."
"Jest 's I thought." As he spoke Jacob grasped the bridle of the horse, and, glancing sharply up and down the road, quietly and yet quickly led the way into the woods in the rear of the barn.
"What's this for?" inquired Robert, as he followed the landlord.
"’Cause it's best."
"Anything new?"
"No, it's th' same old story. I 've had my hands full since you were here."
​"What do you mean?"
"Jest what I'm tellin' ye. Business is all gone, an' every day or so there's somebody here that makes me almost decide t' quit an' leave."
"Jacob, did you know that Josh and Russell followed me when I left here?"
"I s'spected they did. In fact, I heard as much."
"How do you think they got horses?"
"Some o' their men were right near here all the time. They prob'ly took their horses and started."
"Has Russell been here since?"
"No. But he's likely to come most any time."
"What makes you think so?"
"I 've got my reasons."
"Have you suffered any because you helped me that day?"
"Not yet."
"I hope you won't. Jacob, I won't stop here now if you think I 'll be likely to make any trouble for you."
"It 'll be time enough t' talk o' that when I begin it myself," said the landlord solemnly. "I have n't turned ye away yet, have I?"
​"No; but I don't want to make it any harder for you. If you think"—
"I don't think. I don't do nothin' at all. All I can say is, I wish this pesky war was over. The way some o' my neighbors has been burned out o' house an' home is something I don't like to think about. My turn will come pretty quick, I s'pose. But I'm not complaining', he added gruffly. "I thought yer horse might be safer here in th' woods 'n it would be in the barn if anybody happened along. Come on, we 'll go up t' th' house now an' see if we can get ye somethin' t' eat. Ye won't get much, I c'n tell ye that afore we start."
"I don't want much, and I'd rather not trouble you if it is going to make it any harder for you. I can get something farther on."
Jacob did not reply, and so Robert followed him without a word until they were again near the barn. Here Jacob, as if by sheer force of habit, stopped and peered first down and then up the road by which Robert had come. Suddenly he started and gazed long in the latter direction, and Robert, startled by the landlord's manner, also looked anxiously up the road. A little cloud of dust could be seen in ​the distance, and in a moment out from it there emerged the forms of five horsemen, who were riding swiftly.
"Into the barn! Up into the mow! Cover yourself up good with the hay!" exclaimed Jacob, in a low voice.
Robert required no second bidding, and instantly darted into the barn and clambered up the low stationary ladder. Heedless of directions, he threw himself upon the hay and in a moment had burrowed beneath it until he could feel the loose boards under his feet, for the hay was nearly gone, and it was evident that a fresh supply had not been provided during the summer by Jacob, who had been busied in other ways.
Robert had barely settled himself in his hiding-place when he heard the voices of men in the yard in front of the barn. He could see nothing, but the men were speaking loudly, and he fancied that one voice sounded strangely familiar, although he was unable to decide just whose it was.
"Well, Jacob, we 've run the cub to earth this time. Chased him right into his hole."
Robert could hear the landlord as he replied, but as he spoke in low tones he could not distinguish what was said.
​"Oh, he's here fast enough," roared the man who had first spoken. "We have had word of him for five miles back. Now, will you turn him over to us?"
Again Jacob replied, but Robert still could not hear what was said.
"That won't do, Jake!" almost shouted the first speaker. "We know what we 're talkin' about, and the cub either went past here or he stopped here. If he's here, you 've got to give him up, an' that's all there is to it!"
There was a silence for a moment, and then the voice of the man became louder and harsher. "I don't wish ye any ill, Jake, though ye have served us a mean trick or two. I 'll let that all go if ye give up the cub now. If ye 'll say t' me that he went on past here I won't trouble ye any more, for with all yer failin's I never knew ye to lie, Jake, an' that's more'n I can say o' any other man in the county."
Suddenly Robert started in his hiding-place, for it had come to him in a flash that he knew that voice. It was the voice of Claudius Brown, and there could be no mistaking it now. He did not know how many men were with the leader, and with difficulty Robert restrained ​his impulse to leap down from the mow and rush to the aid of Jacob. However, he decided to await developments; but he lifted his head above the hay and discovered that he could distinctly hear all that was being said.
"I have n't seen him go past here," Jacob was saying.
"That's as good as sayin' ye have seen him come here. Now where is he, Jake? He's nothin' to you, an' ye 'll save yerself a heap o' trouble jest by givin' him up."
Robert's fears returned and he was tempted to try to flee from the barn. He realized how strong was the pressure upon Jacob, and he did not know him well enough to estimate his powers of resistance. If he only knew how many were in the assembly he could better decide. He resolved to creep up nearer to the side of the barn, and perhaps he might be able to find some small opening there through which he could see as well as hear what was occurring outside.
Cautiously he threw back the hay, and crawling stealthily over the mow he began to creep nearer the side he was seeking. In the midst of his endeavors he ceased abruptly as the voice of Claudius Brown suddenly became louder.
​"I tell you, Jake, it won't do! We 've been on the track o' this fellow an' we 're bound t' get him. There's money in it, too, if we find a letter on him, as I make no doubt we shall, an' I don't mind tellin' ye that we 'll give you your share. Now, will ye speak up?"
"If I knew, as I'm not sayin' I do, mind ye, ye ought t' know me well enough to understand I'm no Judas!" There was a ring in Jacob's voice that was new to Robert, and the young soldier's heart bounded within him. Come what might, he would not leave the man to fight his battles alone, he resolved. He had found a place through which he could peer forth, and when he perceived that Claudius Brown had four men with him, he quickly decided what plan he would follow if the man persisted in his demand.
"What 'll we do?" said Claudius Brown, turning to his companions.
"String him up!" replied one quickly. "That 'll make him speak; at least it worked all right back here three miles this mornin'."
"Smoke the fellow out," demanded another.
"Ye hear what my men say, Jake?" said the leader, turning again to the landlord as ​he spoke. "Have ye any choice between th' two?"
"I don't seem to have anything t' say 'bout it," replied Jacob quietly.
"Ye have ev'ry thing t' say, Jake. Jest tell us where the rascal is, an' there won't any harm come to you or to your belongin's."
"I told you, Claud Brown, that I was no Judas," retorted Jacob Gunning boldly. "Do what ye please, ye can't buy me up!" There was a ring in Jacob's voice that was inspiring to Robert, and he made ready to act. Before he moved, however, he decided to wait and see what Brown would do next, for it might still be possible that Jacob's very fearlessness might serve to send the men away. In a moment the problem was decided for him, but in a way of which Robert had never dreamed.
"We 'll do both!" shouted Claudius Brown angrily. "We 'll string him up an' smoke out the young rascal, too! Two of you," he added, pointing quickly to two of his men, "set fire to his house just as soon as we 've tied Jake up! Now then!" and at a signal from the leader all four rushed upon the landlord.
Robert waited to see no more, but rising ​hastily from his place he turned toward the border of the mow; but the hay was light in places, and suddenly the boards tipped and parted beneath his feet, and he was thrown headlong to the floor below.