A few yards more brought us to the main road, and once on the firm ground the horses trotted briskly forward, while the horseman dropped behind, the better to observe and give the alarm.
“We were just in time,” said Mrs. Knapp, trembling.
“Let us be thankful for so much,” said I cheerfully.
“They will follow us,” said Mrs. Knapp, with conviction in her tone.
“Not before they have broken into the house. That will keep them for some time, I think.”
“Is there no sign of pursuit?”
I leaned out of the window. Only the deadened sound of the hoofs of our own horses, the deadened roll of our own carriage wheels, were audible in the stillness of the night. Then I thought I heard yells and faint hoof-beats in the distance, but again there was silence except for the muffled noise we made in our progress.
“Can't we drive faster?” asked Mrs. Knapp, when I made my report.
“I wouldn't spoil these horses for five hundred dollars,” growled the driver when I passed him the injunction to hasten.
“It's a thousand dollars for you if you get to the wharf ahead of the others,” cried Mrs. Knapp.