Now, as the fugitives moved toward the Fez Road, the Duke felt that he was between the devil and the deep sea. Had he and Hank been alone, there would have been little or no cause for anxiety. Indeed the adventure was one of his own seeking, and had been anticipated with some satisfaction. He remembered this and reproached himself.
Without Alicia there would be no cause for anxiety—it would have been amusing to have seen Sir Harry under fire. Particularly Bill's fire!
"Look out!" said Hank.
They were nearing the wood, but that was not the cause of Hank's warning.
Their pursuers had thrown off all pretence of concealment and had come into the open. The Duke calculated that they numbered thirty in all.
There were three men on their right flank and four on their left, and the remainder galloped behind.
"They are trying to head us off," said Hank.
"Crack! crack!"
"Firin' from their horses—that won't do much harm."
Sir Harry ducked violently as the bullets began to whine overhead, and Hal fingered his revolver irresolutely.