Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/290

274 to those who were far in advance of them. Ignoring his own peril, he raised himself from the ground, and instantly was seen by the approaching men, two of whom stopped and seized him, as one of them shouted, "Here's one! He must have been hit!"

Seizing Robert roughly by the shoulder, he said, "Come along with me, my man! I 'll put you where you won't bother the redcoats and Tories at Esopus again!"

Forgetful of the fact that the others did not know him, or could be aware of his presence in the force, perceiving only that his welcome was decidedly lacking in the cordial feeling which he himself had had, Robert roughly flung the man from him as he exclaimed, "Don't put your hands on me!" "Give up, or I 'll blow your brains out!" shouted the man angrily, as he rose from the ground and started again with his companion toward Robert.

The powerful young express seized one of the advancing men by the shoulders and flung him far back from the road, and then turned upon the other who was raising his gun to his shoulder. Leaping upon him, Robert bore him to the ground, seized the gun in his hands, wrenched it from the grasp of the