"Where shall I hit him?"
"Hit him on the leg so he can't run."
"He might get my club if he has the use of his arms, and then it would be all day with us," put in Tim, with a hint at caution.
"Don't you worry. I'll fix him quick enough so he won't bother us with his arms," replied De Vere, in a savage tone.
"How will you do it?"
"Hush, now is the time!" returned Matthew, darting from his hiding place.
"Stop, you villain!"
The words suddenly rang out upon the night in a powerful voice. They struck terror to the heart of the highwayman, whose club was raised high in the air, ready to descend upon his victim.
The sudden appearance of a strong man before him, as if by magic, the disappointment, the danger and the surprise, almost paralyzed Matthew with fear, and he dropped his club and fled, like the coward that he was.
But not so fortunate in escaping was young Tim Short, for before he had time to realize the unexpected situation his club fell heavily upon the leg of the man that he had taken for Fred Worthington.