Part 64 (1/2)

”I don't believe we've seen the last of these scoundrels yet,” said b.u.t.tons.

”Nor I,” said d.i.c.k.

A general conversation followed. It was late, and but few things were visible along the road. About two hours pa.s.sed away without any occurrence.

”Look!” cried d.i.c.k, suddenly.

They looked.

About a quarter of a mile ahead a deep red glow arose above the forest, illumining the sky. The windings of the road prevented them from seeing the cause of it. The driver was startled, but evidently thought it was no more dangerous to go on than to stop. So he lashed up his horses and set them off at a furious gallop. The rumble of the ponderous wheels shut out all other sounds. As they advanced the light grew more vivid.

”I shouldn't wonder,” said the Senator, ”if we have another barricade here. Be ready, boys! We won't get off so easily this time.”

The other two said not a word. On, and on. The report of a gun suddenly roused all. The driver lashed his horses. The postillions took the b.u.t.ts of their riding-whips and pelted the animals. The road took a turn, and, pa.s.sing this a strange scene burst upon their sight.

A wide, open s.p.a.ce on the road-side, a collection of beams across the road, the shadowy forms of about thirty men, and the whole scene dimly lighted by a smouldering fire. As it blazed up a little the smoke rolled off and they saw as overturned carriage, two horses tied to a tree, and two men with their hands bound behind them lying on the ground.

A voice rang out through the stillness which for a moment followed the sudden stoppage of the coach at the barrier. There came a wail from the frightened pa.s.sengers within--cries for mercy--piteous entreaties.

”Silence, fools!” roared the same voice, which seemed to be that of the leader.

”Wait! wait!” said the Senator to his companions. ”Let me give the word.”

A crowd of men advanced to the diligence, and as they left the fire b.u.t.tons saw three figures left behind--two women and a man. They did not move. But suddenly a loud shriek burst from one of the women.

At the shriek b.u.t.tons trembled.

”The Spaniards! It is! I know the voice! My G.o.d!”

In an instant b.u.t.tons was down on the ground and in the midst of the crowd of brigands who surrounded the coach.

Bang! bang! bang! It was not the guns of the brigands, but d.i.c.k's pistol that now spoke, and its report was the signal of death to three men who rolled upon the ground in their last agonies. As the third report burst forth the Senator hurled himself down upon the heads of those below. The action of b.u.t.tons had broken up all their plans, rendered parley impossible, and left nothing for them to do but to follow him and save him. The brigands rushed at them with a yell of fury.

”Death to them! Death to them all! No quarter!”

”Help!” cried b.u.t.tons. ”Pa.s.sengers, we are armed! We can save ourselves!”

But the pa.s.sengers, having already lost their money, now feared to lose their lives. Not one responded. All about the coach the scene became one of terrible confusion. Guns were fired, blows fell in every direction. The darkness, but faintly illuminated by the fitful firelight, prevented the brigands from distinguis.h.i.+ng their enemies very clearly--a circ.u.mstance which favored the little band of Americans.

The brigands fired at the coach, and tried to break open the doors.

Inside the coach the pa.s.sengers, frantic with fear, sought to make their voices heard amid the uproar. They begged for mercy; they declared they had no money; they had already been robbed; they would give all that was left; they would surrender if only their lives were spared.

”And, oh! good Americans, yield, yield, or we all die!”

”Americans?” screamed several pa.s.sionate voices. ”Death to the Americans! Death to all foreigners!”

These bandits were unlike the last.