"It's all right!" he thought. "As soon as I get through them woods I shall have nothing to worry about."
But just then a noise was heard to the right, and a tramp burst out, his features concealed by a mask, and sprang for the horse's head.
"Halt there!" he exclaimed in a hoarse voice.
Adin Dunham's tongue refused service, and with pallid cheeks, betokening intense fear, he stared at the apparition.
"What do you want?" he managed to ejaculate at last.
"Quick! Give me that money," hissed the stranger.
"What money?" asked Adin Dunham, aghast, though he knew well enough what money was meant.
"No trifling, or it will be the worse for you! Give me the thousand dollars you have in your pocket."
"Are you a robber?" asked Dunham, with blanched face.
"Never mind what I am! I want that money. It will be as much as your life is worth to refuse."