CHAPTER VII
A DEFENSELESS HOUSEHOLD
In silence the little party approached the place in the road where Robert had left his horse. The glimmering light of the lantern was an added source of anxiety to the young soldier, for he was by no means positive that he had not been followed, and that his present predicament was not known to some of the members of the band of which Claudius Brown was the leader. However, the women had been so quick in their decision to accompany him, and their fearlessness was so apparent, that he had not repeated his protest, and in a brief time they arrived at the place they were seeking.
As Robert stepped forth into the road he saw that Nero was still lying where he had left him, and at once taking the prostrate beast by the head, he said soothingly, "Get up, Nero! That's right, old fellow!"
The horse struggled to his feet, and it became at once evident that no bones were broken. With a sigh of relief, Robert turned to his companions and said,—
