their heads, they would scarcely have heard it. They started up at
daybreak.

"We should be off as soon as we have taken some food," whispered Stephen
to his brother. "I wish that we had gone a couple of hours ago; the
moon is in the sky, and we could have seen our way."

They rose to their feet, and looked about them; they could see no one in
the hut. Presently the old man appeared from behind a piece of an old
sail, which served to screen off his sleeping-place.

"We must be going, friend," said Stephen, "and we will thank you for
some more food, as we know not when we may obtain any."

"You shall be welcome to what we have," and he called out to his wife,
"Mollie, Mollie, get up and cook some breakfast for these young
gentlemen; they wish to be on their way."

While the meal was preparing they went out to look at their horses. The
animals were munching some oats, which it was evident that either the
old man or his son had given them; the former followed and got some
water, which the poor beasts much required. Both animals looked much
better for their food and rest. Stephen and Andrew hoped that they
should be able to make a long day's journey, and find some safer place
of concealment than the hut of the old fisherman. On their return to it
they found breakfast ready, which they discussed with good appetites;
and then paying the old man handsomely for the food and lodging he had
afforded them, hastened out again, intending to ride off without further
delay. Stephen led out his horse, and Andrew followed, when, as he was
about to mount, he exclaimed, "Why, the poor animal is lame." He led
him on a few paces; there could be no doubt about it.

"This is unfortunate," he said. "But I will not delay you, Stephen; you
ride on, and I will run down his leg; perhaps in the course of an hour
or two the lameness may go off. I cannot fancy what has caused it."

"No, no," answered Stephen; "I will remain with you whatever happens;
the chances are the news of the fight won't reach this place for some
days to come. We will share each other's fortunes, whatever they may
be." All Andrew could say would not induce Stephen to ride on alone.
They examined the horse's leg, but could discover no cause for its
lameness; they rubbed down the leg, and did all they could in hopes of
taking it off. Presently the old fisherman appeared, and seemed much
surprised at hearing that the horse was lame.

"We must trust to your ho