Alfred de Rosann — page 144: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 135 checked himself in time to recollect that the vitupera- tion he meditated would not come within the limits of that individual’s comprehension. He however caused the door to be opened, and descended to exa- mine the chaise, in order to ascertain if the linch-pins were in their places, and if the wheels had experienced any damage. , While he was thus engaged, the distant sounds of horses’ hoofs met his ears;*and in the course of a minute three men, mounted on “stalworth chargers,”’ galloped upto thespot where the post-chaise was stand- ing. Instead of passing by, they suddenly halted, and, with one accord, leaped to the ground. Alfred started from the stooping posture in which he was bent to- wards the box of one of the wheels, the moment he heard that simultaneous movement on the part of the Strangers; anda suspicion of their design instantly flashed across his mind. He made a rush toward the door of the chaise, in order to seize his pistols; but, as if his aim were anticipated, the foremost of the three robbers threw himself between our hero and the carriage, while a second pinioned his arms behind him, ‘The third ran forward to secure the postilion; he, however, searched in vain; that wary individual had slipped away the instant he perceived the vile intentions of the three travellers. De Rosann. made a desperate effort to disengage himself from the vigorous grasp that had assailed him; and, by aturn more dexterous than powerful, he once more regained the freedom of his arms. To dash aside the man who had intervened between him- self and the carriage, was the work of an instant, and ~ the robber fell so heavily against one of the wheels, that he rolled senseless to the ground, apparently stunned by the sudden blow. Our hero’s pistols were on the seat of the carriage; the door was open, and the step was down. He leapt lightly up, and suc- ceeded in securing the loaded weapons ere he was -again attacked. All this was the work of a second: but before he had time to turn and confront his ene- ~~ > ~ EOPMICOOOL<