Just as she was coming to this conclusion she reached the point where she must turn from the Buzzard’s Gap road in order to reach her home.
This then would prove the test. If the riders kept straight on she need have no further fear. If not—she dared not contemplate the worst.
She heard them reach the forks of the road, and for a moment she thought they passed on; and then a low exclamation escaped her lips as she realized that her worst fears were stern facts.
The horsemen were in earnest pursuit of her!
The road now was more broken and her progress was slower.
She was a good rider, but her horse was no match for those in pursuit.
She had gone perhaps a couple of miles further when a loud shout attracted her attention, and looking back she saw her pursuers in plain sight!
The foremost was waving something in the air, as if motioning for her to stop.
At first thought she was inclined to do so, but something in their manner seemed to tell her that their presence boded her no good.
Their shouts were like those of a maddened mob rather than the words of friends.