“This isn’t so nice,” observed Andy, when they were in a black portion of the woods. “Supposing some tramps or highway robbers should pounce out on us?”
“Andy must have been reading some trashy five-cent library,” laughed Pepper. “I caught Link Smiley reading one the other day, and I had to laugh at all the hair-breadth escapes the so-called hero had.”
“Excuse me, but I’m not giving up my good nickels for such rot,” answered Andy. “Good books are too plentiful. But it is dark and no mistake.”
“I see a light ahead!” interrupted Pepper. “Perhaps a carriage is coming this way.”
They drove slowly, and presently came up to where the light was resting, on a limb of a tree. Just as they were opposite to the lantern, eight masked figures leaped out from behind the bushes.
“Stop!” was the command. “Don’t you dare to drive another step!”
CHAPTER X
IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY
“What are we up against now?”
“Are these fellows tramps?”
“Are they going to rob us?”