"But Bess—I cannot leave her," exclaimed Dick, with an agonizing look at his horse.
"And what did Bess die for, but to save you?" rejoined the patrico.
"True, true," said Dick; "but take care of her, don't let those dogs of hell meddle with her carcase."
"Away," cried the patrico, "leave Bess to me."
Possessing himself of the wallet, Dick disappeared in the adjoining copse.
He had not been gone many seconds when Major Mowbray rode up.
"Who is this?" exclaimed the Major, flinging himself from his horse, and seizing the patrico; "this is not Turpin."
"Certainly not," replied Balthazar, coolly. "I am not exactly the figure for a highwayman."
"Where is he? What has become of him?" asked Coates, in despair, as he and Paterson joined the major.
"Escaped, I fear," replied the major. "Have you seen any one, fellow?" added he, addressing the patrico.