He gave a chuckle at his own joke, but was obviously afraid to laugh out loud in case he might be overheard.
He walked away back into the stables.
Then there was the sound of hoofs and Shalom came into the yard and Elmina heard Abe say in a whisper,
“’Urry up! And get goin’!”
Elmina felt Bert climbing into the saddle behind her, then, picking up the reins, he pulled her roughly back against him.
She was balanced somewhat precariously on the front of the saddle and knew that it would be easy to fall off and hurt herself.
She therefore held fast onto the horse’s sides with her knees, thankful that she was wearing pantaloons instead of a skirt, which would have obliged her to ride side-saddle.
Moving slowly with, she was sure, Abe leading the way on Shalom, they started to leave the st
