"Pick it up!" he roared.
But as his companions dismounted, the bandit-chieftain discovered that John's horse was tearing madly up the street.
At the very moment when success was hovering over them the series of accidents had occurred!
Undaunted, however, the great outlaw determined to keep his ill-gotten gains. No pursuers were in sight and if the runaway pony could be caught, they might still make good their escape. Yet he was loath to leave his pals to go in chase lest a posse appear while he was away.
As he was hesitating what to do, the rumble of wheels in a side street caught his ear and turning toward it, he beheld a man whose cast of countenance proclaimed him a German, driving a lively pair of bays attached to an express wagon.
To see was to act, and riding toward him, Jesse shouted:
"Hey, Dutchy! Chase that horse lively and bring him back!"
"Mein gracious! I can't," protested the farmer.
"You'll either do it or die! Which do you prefer?" And the terrible outlaw whipped out his "Colts."
"Ach, Himmel! I kotch him! I kotch him!" returned the terrified German.