"Oh,  that  will  be  easy  enough.  The  road  we  came  leads
there,  and  you  can't  miss  it.  In  the  middle  of  the  town  as
you  go  forward  there  is  a  park  where  all  the  roads  meet,  and
at  the  end  of  the  one  you  are  following  there  is  a  tavern,  with
a  wide  porch  and  green  blinds.  Stop  there  and  tell  them  what
is  wanted,  and  they  will  do  the  rest."

"I  can't  leave  you  here  alone,"  I  answered,  nowise  inclined
to  do  as  he  said.
"There  is  no  danger;  and  how  will  I  dispose  of  Burke  if
you  don't  go  for  help?"  he  replied.
226  The  Romance  of  Gilbert  Holmes

"All  right,  I'll  go,"  I  answered,  seeing  there  was  no  other
way.
"That  is  a  brave  lad!  Tell  them  to  send  a  surgeon  and
a  man  to  aid.  There !  not  another  word.  The  dapple-gray
mare  is  as  gentle  as  a  lamb,  and  will  carry  you  like  the  wind";
and  without  saying  more  he  went  and  brought  her  to  where
I  stood,  and  lifting  me  into  the  saddle,  shortened  the  stirrups
and  tightened  the  girth.  "Don't  spare  her,  my  lad.  She  is
good  for  fifty  miles,  and  a  better  horse  you  never  had  at  Wild
Plum,  if  you  have  the  strength  to  stand  the  ride."

"I'm  as  strong  as  an  ox,"  I  answered;  "and  you  know  I'm
used  to  horses."

"Yes;  but  look  well  to  the  saddlebags,  my  boy,  for  the
money  is  not  mine.  Now  be  off,  and  God  bless  you ! "  he  cried,
stepping  back  and  waving  me  away.
Glancing  over  my  shoulder  as  I  shot  under  the  trees,  he
stood  where  I  left  him,  watching  and  waving  me  a  fond  adieu.
