“What is it?” she asked. “What does thee fear?”
“I fear they are desperadoes,” he replied. “I must make yon farmhouse.”
With an exclamation the girl turned to look again at the sand-hills. To her amazement the spots that had been so indeterminate a few moments since now had become a body of horsemen, which was moving rapidly toward them. Fairfax was pale. He leaned forward and spoke to the horses just as Sally cried:
“They see us, Fairfax. They are coming on the run.”
“Can you drive, Peggy?” he asked.
“Yes,” she told him breathlessly.
“Then take my place,” he said. “See the farmhouse to the right on that crossroad? We must make that, Peggy. I must get out the guns. If they catch us there will be a fight.”
“I have the ammunition, son,” said Nurse Johnson. “Get over here, and let me do the loading.”
Peggy took the lines, and the youth stooped down and drew the muskets from under the front seat of the sleigh.
“Drive, Peggy,” he called excitedly as he rose with the weapons. “Drive as you never drove before. They are gaining on us.”