Whish! Dick's left hand clutched at the reins, but his right hand grasped the whip. That useful implement described an arc downward and caught the driver roundly, judging by the yell that the fellow let out.
The Whip Caught the Driver Roundly.
"Gid-dap!" yelled young Prescott, completing the swing of the whip by bringing it down across the horses' backs.
The startled animals leaped forward, the lurch almost throwing Dick from the box; in fact, it nearly overturned the cab.
But the vehicle soon righted itself, and Dick, somewhat scared, yet steady, pulled the horses down to a steady trot and reined them in closer together.
The disguised man who had come out of the drug store succeeded in resting one hand for an instant on the body of the cab. But the springing horses carried it away from him. For a few rods the man pursued, the smarting driver bringing up the rear.
Then both pursuers halted, panting, cursing, at the same time, as only foul-mouthed ruffians can.
Inside, Myra was shrieking with fright.
"We're your mother's friends, Myra, and are taking you back to her," explained Dave, holding the small child on his knee and trying to quiet her.