At the conclusion of this speech the ’squire turned to see what effect his words had upon the little group of homeless strangers. He was disappointed to find that they had not brought any visible show of trepidation to any of them.
“Look here, Trask,” addressing one of the spectators, continued the justice, “you have got a good horse. Go to Bradford and find Sheriff Stanyan. Tell him I will have the papers all made out by the time he gets here.”
“It’s awful traveling, ’squire, and my horse——”
“Don’t stop to consider the traveling, Trask, at a time like this. The safety of the public must be upheld. You shall lose nothing by the trip.”
Without further opposition the man called Trask started for his team, which was hitched nearby, and a minute later he rode away on his errand, while ’Squire Hardy went into the station agent’s office to make out the required paper.
Though there was little display of excitement on the surface, it was really an exciting situation. The onlookers began to gather in little knots to talk over the affair, a few blaming the ’squire, but the majority upholding him in his decisive action. As is usual under such conditions, the forlorn strangers, ragged and penniless, proved to be equally friendless.
Ragged Rob improved the opportunity to speak a few words of encouragement to his companions, trying to assure them that it would be all right as soon as Deacon Cornhill should return. But even he felt in his heart that the kindly deacon would be powerless to meet and overcome the increasing enmity of his townspeople.
CHAPTER IX.
A STARTLING SURPRISE.
To add to the uncomfortableness of the situation, threatenings of rain began to appear about this time, but the crowd of spectators showed no signs of dispersing, one and all waiting with curious interest to see what the end would be.
In the midst of the lull in the scene the ’squire reappeared, holding in his hand now the warrant for the arrest of the newcomers under the charge of Ragged Rob, who stood by the side of Joe and her mother at this time.