They had traveled through every nook and corner of the country, searching for this very man, and now that he was fairly before them, should they permit him to escape, and carry off General Mason’s money, and Black Bess, besides? It was not to be thought of.
“Hold on!” shouted Mark, excitedly. “That horse shan’t carry you a step further. Your game is up now, Luke Redman!”
The robber, who had never once removed his eyes from the boys, seeing that Mark was reaching for his gun, quickly raised his own weapon; but by the time it touched his shoulder there was not one of our fellows in sight.
They had dodged behind the trees, like so many squirrels, and each one was blowing his horn with all the power of his lungs, sending up signals of distress that awoke the echoes far and near.
“Stop that noise, or I’ll shoot some on you!” roared Luke.
“Blow away, boys,” said Mark. “Perhaps some of the settlers are close by.”
This was just what Luke Redman was afraid of. He knew that the cane-brakes were full of men, for he had been dodging them all day. The blasts of the hunting-horns would call up every one of them who might happen to be within hearing, and thus his chances for escape would be greatly diminished.
Seeing that he was in a dangerous neighborhood, and knowing that if he remained there he would certainly get himself into trouble, he dashed his spurs into his horse, which sprang into the bayou and made the best of her way toward the opposite bank.
In his rage, he discharged one barrel of his gun, sending the buckshot in a perfect shower about the trees behind which our fellows were concealed; but, instead of frightening them, it seemed to add strength to their lungs, for the signals of distress arose louder and faster than ever.
The moment Luke emerged from the water, he put his horse into a gallop, and went flying through the swamp.
I caught sight of him as he came out of the cane-brake, and if I had had my gun in my hands, I believe I should have lifted him out of that saddle with as little hesitation as I ever brought down a squirrel.
To see my little Black Bess bounding along with that man on her back—going, too, with a free step, and arching her glossy neck and tossing her head as if she enjoyed the rapid motion—I tell you, the sight made me well-nigh desperate.