"Stop or I fire."
At this I made a sudden halt.
CHAPTER XXIV. OTHO KILLIGREW USES AN OLD PROVERB.
There was no help for it. I had to wait till the man came up.
"All is well!" I said, in a low voice.
"But who are you?—why——!"
Before he could speak again or raise his musket. I struck him heavily. He fell like a log of wood, senseless, inert. I lifted my hand to strike again; but it is hard striking an unconscious man, and I refrained. Besides I felt sure it would be some time before he would regain his wits again, meanwhile I should be perhaps a mile on my way.
I therefore left him lying there, while I sped through the woods like a deer. Who he was I knew not, but I suspected that he was some follower of the Killigrews, who watched while his masters discussed their plans within the house.