"Ay, now, that's a blamed good plan."
The bandit had taken refuge in the house, as he had suffered a very bad wound, but having seen from one of the upper bed rooms that the stage was coming, he took alarm and fled as has been recorded.
By so doing, he greatly amazed the good people with whom he had been stopping, as they knew nothing of his real character in consequence of a lie he told them.
The man was wild with fear.
He spurred and lashed his horse furiously.
And he kept his lead with remarkable speed.
The Terror rattled and bumped over the rougher grass, but found it pretty good going anyway, as the open country of Missouri is generally fairly level.
Tim watched the contest with interest.
He could not help admiring the bandit's good riding.
But he also saw that the stage slowly but surely began to gain.