“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 hospitality for a few hours longer,” said Stephen. “We should run the risk of having the horse break down altogether were we to proceed in its present condition.”
The old man made no objection, so they put their horses back into the boat-house, and re-entered the hut. They inquired if his son had returned on the previous evening.
“Yes,” he answered; “and he has now gone out in the boat to catch some more fish, so we shall have enough to feed you. You must rest on the ground as you did last night.”