The raiders were doubtless on horseback; they would have added to their possessions such animals as might have remained on the place, and most likely had departed not later than midnight with their booty and prisoners.

The hopelessness of the situation left me almost paralyzed.

I possessed no means of reaching Farrell, no knowledge of the nearest minute man who could act as courier.

From the window where I stood not a house was visible.

Just beyond the orchard the roads forked, a well-travelled branch circling to the left, and disappearing over the edge of a hill.