The robber chief laid his finger-tips with a gentle sound upon the
door, and immediately the mute pushed back the bolts; and then stood
aside to let the robbers in.
'Well,' enquired the chief, 'have they passed to York?' and the
dummy answering (for it was only to the country side that he was deaf
and dumb) said:
'Yes, he and a big country loot passed about twelve o'clock.'
'So early!' ejaculated the captain. 'Then we are not here any too
soon.'
'Shall I saddle?'
'Immediately--Do you think these fellows will fight?'
'They were both heavily armed. The negro carried a heavy cutlass and
a pair of pistols.
'Ah, then the swamp has its terrors for them.'
'I am sure,' put in the evil looking mute, 'that this nigger will
fight like a devil. But as for the galoot that goes with him, I'm
sure there's no sand in _him_. Easy,' the fellow exclaimed, 'I
hear hoofs now; and no doubt 'tis your man.'
'Into your saddles,' was the Captain's order; and immediately the
four men sprang out upon the road.
A heavy cloud had drifted across the moon, and when the robbers rode
down from the stables, the night was as dark as pitch.
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