[CHAPTER V—HOW JASON COLLYER CAME TO THE “PLOW AND HARROW”]
Once he had gotten the candle-light well out of his eyes, Ezra found that the darkness was not quite as thick as he had supposed.
“All of which suits my purpose very well,” he told himself, well pleased.
He had no idea of proceeding any great distance in the direction in which he was heading. He had promised to meet Ben Cooper at the place where the church tower reared itself above the tree-tops toward Chelmsford; and this he determined to do.
“If I fail to keep my promise, Ben will begin to imagine all sorts of things,” mused Ezra. “And, also, I’ll need to talk over this matter with him before I do anything.”
He rode along until his horse’s hoofs sounded hollowly upon the timbers of the bridge.
“The sound will no doubt reach the house,” he muttered, “and perhaps they will be listening for it.”
In the middle of the bridge he wheeled his steed and slowly recrossed; then dismounting he led the animal into the woods and struck out upon a course parallel with the road. The way was much darker here because of the overhang of the trees; he was compelled to proceed with the utmost care in order to avoid accidents.
“I said you had eyes like an owl, old fellow,” said he to the bay. “Now prove that I did not overpraise you; for a misstep means, perhaps, a broken leg.”
And the horse, as though in answer, stepped gingerly along, his mane brushing Ezra’s shoulder, and his nose pointed toward the ground. In a short time they arrived opposite the house of Abdallah; the mastiffs must either have got scent of, or heard them. At any rate they broke into a tremendous barking.