Part 14 (2/2)
At this proof of knowledge on the part of the outlaw the farmer was almost paralyzed.
It appeared to him that the robber must be supernaturally gifted.
”I haven't got it now,” he said.
”You lie!” cried the outlaw sternly. ”Come down here and give up the money, or I'll shoot you.”
”You can search me,” said Mason desperately.
”Come down, then.”
”Thee is very unkind,” observed Luke.
”Shut up, you meddlesome Quaker! It none of your business.”
”Thee had better come down and let the man search thee,” said Luke to the farmer.
Ezekiel Mason had been waiting for a hint from Luke, in whom he recognized a master spirit. His only hope was in his companion.
”Art thee Mr. Fox?” asked Luke in a tone of mild inquiry.
”I'll let you know who I am,” was the swaggering reply.
Though he was but one man opposed to two, he had no fears. The farmer was evidently cowed and terrified, while the Quaker seemed, though large, to be peaceable and harmless.
But in his judgment of Luke the outlaw was very much at fault. When threatening the farmer he had covered him with his revolver, but as he was preparing to leave the buggy he carelessly lowered it. Luke, who was aching to attack him, noticed this.
While Fox, for it was one of the notorious brothers, was standing in careless security the Quaker sprang upon him like a panther upon his prey. He knocked the revolver from his hand with one powerful blow, felled him to the ground, and placed his foot upon his prostrate form.
Never, perhaps, in a career crowded with exciting adventures had the outlaw been so thoroughly surprised.
”What the mischief does this mean?” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, struggling to rise.
”It means that thee has mistaken thy man,” answered Luke coolly.
”Let me go or I'll kill you!” shrieked the outlaw fiercely.
”If you try to get up I'll put a bullet through your head,” replied Luke, pointing at him with his own revolver.
In his excitement he had dropped his Quaker speech, and this the outlaw noted.
”Are you a Quaker? he asked abruptly.
”No more than you are,” answered Luke. ”Farmer, bring out the rope.”
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