Mezzoni the Brigand — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

120 | MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. not been looking about him so carefully as before, and he now heard the sharp report of a rifle, as the ball tore up the earth close by his side. He turned and saw that it was the companion of the fallen rob- ber who had fired at him. He had been considerably in advance of his comrade, and his ball had been sent from a line quite parallel with their course and present position. He was not within reach of Wal- ter’s revolver, so it was of no use to fire at him. He doubted if the robber had heard the cry of his mate for help, being so far separated from him, If this was the case, neither could he have heard the pistol shot which had wounded the other robber, and he might possibly think that Walter was un- armed and be thus drawn upon him without farther precaution. All these thoughts passed through the young American’s mind with lightning-like rapidity, and to entice the bandit forward he had at once dropped upon one knee as though his shot had wounded him. The trick deceived the pursuer, who, not even waiting (as he should have done) to reload his rifle, ran in his eagerness toward the fugi- tive at his best speed. Permitting him to come within fair range, Walter sprang to his feet, and aiming full and fair at the man, fired, all so rapidly that the robber had not time to present his own pistol, which was thrust conspicuously in his belt. The ball from the fugi- tive’s pistol took effect in the right forearm, so that the outlaw dropped his rifle unable to hold it. See- ing the result of his shot, Walter did not fire a sec- ond time, but quickly seizing Marion’s arm hurried her away on their course. ‘Oh, Walter, did he fall?’’ ‘No, Marion, but he is wounded in a safe place; comicbooks.com — . ols = ve Pad, . es Pea . sd Al ag bey .« MP aly, oe