He assisted Horning up on the front seat, still retaining his hold on the fellow’s collar.
“Now you had better take a seat in the rear,” said he to Bob. “You will find a heavy stick under the seat. Don’t hesitate to use it if he tries to escape.”
Bob was about to enter the carriage, when suddenly Horning sprang up and hit the stranger on the breast. The blow was so unexpected that the carriage owner reeled backward. He would have struck on his head had not Bob caught him.
“Get up!” cried Horning to the horse, and the animal moved forward.
The swindler caught up the reins, and away went the carriage, leaving Bob in the middle of the road supporting the carriage owner, who had not yet recovered.
“Whoa!” cried the youth to the horse, but the animal paid no attention, and soon swindler and turn-out had disappeared in the darkness.
“Well, that’s a fine mess!” cried the carriage owner as he recovered himself. “He got the best of Jack Hicks that time, and no mistake.”
“What is best to be done?” questioned Bob.
“I must go after him,” replied Hicks.
“You can’t do it on foot.”