The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1910-05-26


desperate need of aid.
Then, with his heart in his mouth, he
slowly began to retrace his steps, walk
ing where he had galloped a moment |
before. A turn in the road caused him |
to draw rein sharply. A hundred yards
ahead five or six men were struggling
with riderless bay horse
by lover calculated Hobbs. Its
his horser'
As he drew nearer it struck him
forcibly that the men were not what
he had thought them to be- They were
an evil looking lot. more like the strlk-
ers he had seen in the town earlier in
the day. Even as he was turning the
new thought over in his mind one of
them stepped out Of the little knot
and, without a word Of warning, lifted
his arm and fired point blank at the
little Englshman. A pistol ball whizzed
close by his head. His horse luaped
to the side Of the road in terror, al
most unseating him.
But Hobbs had fighting blood in his
veins. What is more to the point, he
had a Mauser revolver in his pocket
He jerked it out and, despite second
shot from the picket, prepared to ride
down upon the party. An instant later
half dozen revolvers were blazing
away at him. Hobbs turned at once
and rode in the opposite direction.
whirling to fire twice at the unfriendly
group. Soon he was out Of range.
The only thing left for him to do was
TO ride at once to the city and give
the alarm.
Suddenly his horse swerved and
leaped furiOusly out Of stride, STUN
bling, but recovering himself almost in
simultaneously. In the same second he
heard the sharp crack of a firearm far
down the unbroken ravine to his left.
A second shot came. this time from the
right and close at hand. His horse was
staggering, swaying: then down he
crashed. Hobbs swinging clear barely
In time to escape being pinioned to the
ground. A stream of blood was pour
ing from the side Of the poor beast
Aghast at this unheard of wantonness
the little Interpreter knew not which
way to turn, but stood there dazed un.
til a third shot brought him to his
senses. The bullet kicked up the dust
near his feet. He scrambled for the
heavy underbrush at the roadside anC
darted off into the roadside. his revolv
er in his hand, his heart palpitatins
like mad. Time and again as be fec
through the dark thickets he heard thu
hoarse shouts Of men in the distance
At 10 o'clock the next morning Colo
mel Quinnox and a company Of soldiers
riding up from the city gates towar'
the north in response to call TO
help from honest herders who reported
attacks and robberies Of an alarmin;
nature, came upon the stiff. footsore
thorn scratched Mr.. Hobbs not ia
from the walls Of the town. The colo
mel was not long in grasping the sui
stance Of Hobbs revelations. He rod
off at once for the witch's howell. send
ing Hobbs with small, instructed es
cort to the castle. where Baron Oar
gloss was in consultation with Mr.. Tu
lis and certain ministers.
The city was peaceful enough, niue
to the surprise Of Hobbs. No disturb
ance had been reported, said til
guardsmen who rode beside him. U
in the hills there had been some depr'
dations. but that was all.
"AllY' groaned Mr.. Hobbs. "All
Hang 1t all, man, wot do you call all
You haven't heard 'alf of it yet l tie
you, there's been the devil to pa.
Wait till the colonel comes back frol
Ganlook gap. He'll have news f