When they
reached the highway they found themselves close to their victim, who,
for some reason had halted.
'Surround him,' said the Captain in an audible whisper. While he was
yet speaking the cloud drifted off the moon, and the situation became
clearly revealed. The negro sat upon his horse, his head thrust out
as if anticipating mischief. The country loot of whom the groom had
spoken was not with him.
'Surrender!' shouted the robber chief in a carefully disguised
voice. The black immediately slid from his horse, and stood in such a
manner that he had the protection of the animal.
The robbers then rode toward him but raising his arm he fired at the
Captain. The chiefs horse received the shot in the breast, reared
high, and then fell sidelong upon the road. The next shot fired from
the plucky negro hit The Lifter upon the right arm, breaking it close
to the shoulder.
The suddenness of these casualties deterred the highwaymen for a few
moments; during which time the black was edging towards the woods.
Nature seemed now as if in conspiracy against the robbers, for at
this moment another heavy cloud rolled across the moon.
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