"I ran away to escape Moth; but I've something else to tell you," I answered, remembering the tragedy at the cabin and Burke waiting beside the road, "and it's about you," I went on, overcome by the recollection.
"There is no hurry to tell it," he answered, tenderly. "We can stay here till morning for all the difference it will make; so calm yourself."
"There is need, though, for Burke is waiting by the road to kill you," I answered, getting to my feet and striving to overcome my weakness.
"What is that you say? Some one waiting to kill me?" he asked, peering into my face, as if he thought I had lost my senses.
"Yes; I heard them planning it in the cabin in Murderer's Hollow," I answered, simply.
"Good heavens! what could have taken you there, Gilbert?" he asked, as if still doubting what I said.
"I was crossing the valley, and reached the cabin as the robbers came up," I answered, striving to make myself clear, "and seeing them first, hid in the shadow of the hut."
"You said one before, and now you say two," he answered, as if the discrepancy confirmed his thought that I was mad.
"Yes; our Blott, and Burke, who robbed Mr. Singleton; but when Blott refused to aid, Burke killed him."
"What is all this you are telling me, my poor boy?" he replied, his voice shaking. "Surely you are dreaming."
"No, I'm not; and afterward Burke hurried away to wait your coming."
"Burke! What on earth can he be doing here, unless, indeed, he has been driven from his home, and so turned outlaw. Did he know it was me?"
"I think not, for I never thought of you at all."
"How did he know I was coming this way to-night?"
"Some one in Appletop sent him word, he said."
"He only wanted to rob me. He could not have wished to kill me, unless in revenge!" Uncle Job answered, inquiringly.
"Yes, both rob and kill you, and as it had been agreed between him and the person in Appletop, he said."
Upon this I told Uncle Job all that I had heard and seen at the cabin. When I had finished, he stood for a long time silent, asking himself over and over again who it was that could have informed Burke of his coming, or that desired his death, and wherefore, if, indeed, it was not a ruse of Burke's to deceive Blott.
"I can't make it out," he said at last. "The river is too low for boats to pass the rapids, so I had to come this way, and started late on purpose to avoid highwaymen, for I have a lot of money with me."