Both he and Dale broke into a stumbling run down the dark road toward the sounds. Then came a pistol shot, another cry, the confused sound of voices, and at last rapid hoofbeats flying along the road. When they reached the scene they found the driver crouched in fear by the roadside, one of his horses lying in a tangle of harness, while Danvers, supported by Wheelock, was bleeding and unconscious. Ethan seized one of the carriage lamps, flashed its dim rays about, and took in all this. But he kept his face hidden as much as possible.
“Help!” called Wheelock, eagerly, as the footsteps of the newcomers fell upon his hearing. “A highwayman has attacked and has robbed us.”
“Of your money?” said Ethan, a tremble in his voice.
“No; of a paper—a very valuable paper. Get horses; pursue him; take him dead or alive, and the reward will open your eyes.”
Ethan and Dale looked at each other, but neither spoke; from far down the dark road the hoofs of the great black horse rang ever more faintly upon the frozen ground.
CHAPTER XXII
THE PRESS-GANG
To hasten back to the inn and secure a couple of horses was the work of but a few minutes. Then Ethan and Richard Dale started in pursuit of the gentleman of the road.
“He’s making his way toward the highway to London,” said Ethan as their mounts dashed bravely along the dark road. “And as I suppose he knows every cross-path and turn of the way there is not much hope of our overtaking him.”
“I’m afraid not,” answered Dale.
“But we’ll after him for all that,” said Ethan. “We must take advantage of every chance to recover the dispatch.”