Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/88

 to leave his hiding-place, his knees trembled, he was unable to stir, and the clown pursued his way without being disturbed.

The robbers began to hem, and poor John seized with terror, was going to run after the swain, but, thinking him too far advanced, resolved to wait for the next traveller, and to attack him vigorously.

He had waited a good while for another opportunity to acquit himself of his task, 'till at length a travelling journeyman appeared: John rushed out of his hiding place before his prey was near enough, and as soon as the frightened traveller saw a man running towards him with a pistol, he took to his heels and luckily got out of his reach.

The Captain and his companions, seized with a fit of roaring laughter, exhorted their awkward pupil, in a low accent, to have a little more patience in future.