, if she looked out. She
sat next the window because the other women minded the draught more.

Right across the aisle from Mrs. Polly's pew was Thomas Penniman's.
He was there with his wife, and six stalwart sons. The two youngest,
Levi and John, were crowded out of the pew proper, and sat in the one
directly back.

John sat at the end. He was a tall, handsome young fellow, two or
three years older than Ann. He was well spoken of amongst his
acquaintances for two reasons. First, on account of his own brave,
steady character; and second, on account of his owning one of the
finest horses anywhere about. A good horse was, if anything, a more
important piece of property then than now. This one was a beautiful
bay. They called him "Red Robin."

To-day, Red Robin was carefully blanketed and fastened in the new
stable. John thought when he tied him there how thankful he was he
had such a good shelter this bitter day. He felt grateful to
Lieutenant Seth Turner, who owned all the land hereabouts and had
given the liberty to build it.

The people all sat quietly listening to the long sermon. Two hours
long it was. When the minister perched up in his beetling pulpit with
the sounding-board over his head, was about half through his
discourse, Ann Wales happened to glance out of the window at her
side. She rarely did such a thing in meeting-time; indeed she had
been better instructed. How she happened to to-day, she could not
have told, but she did.

It was well she did. Just at that moment, a man in a gray cloak
sprang into the Horse-House, and began untying John Penniman's Red
Robin.

Ann gave one glance; then she never hesitated. There was no time to
send whispers along the pew; to tell Phineas Adams to give the alarm.

Out of the pew darted Ann, like a red robin herself, her read cloak
flying back, crowding nimbly past the others, across the aisle to
John Penniman.

"Somebody's stealing Red Robin, John," said she in a clear whisper.
They heard it for several pews around. Up sprang the pewful of
staunch Pennimans, father and sons, and made for the door in a great
rush after John, who was out before the whisper had much more than
left Ann's lips.

The alarm spread; other men went too. The minister paused, and the
women waited. Finally the men returned, all but a few who were
detailed to watch the horses through the remainder of the services,
and the meeting proceeded.

Phineas sent the whisper along the pew, that Jo