Mezzoni the Brigand — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. 121 he cannot use either rifle or pistol against us for the present. ”’ “That is much better than taking his life,’’ said the breathless girl, as they hurried on. The last pursuer sounded the peculiar cry for help, like that uttered by his comrade when he fell by Walter’s first shot, but his mate, if he heard him at all, was unable to come to his aid, and the fugitives saw the man retreating with his rifle on his left arm; he could not even load much less aim it, wounded as he now was. The robber was evidently intent upon finding his comrade, wherever he might be. Walter could see the wounded man for some dis- tance still, as he did not seek to avoid exposing him- self and Marion now. He knew that for a while at least they were safe, but as the robbers had plenty of allies among the peasants, he felt that the part of his escape the hardest to safely accomplish would doubtless be that at the foot of the mountain when they should approach the level country. Here he would be suspected as having escaped from the cave by any mountaineer whom they might chance to meet. He therefore made a circuitous route which should bring them on the nearest side to Naples, be- fore they should descend much farther toward the plain, and it was very fortunate that he did so, for _scarcely had he adopted this purpose and selected a spot for temporary rest, before he saw, far through an opening in the rocks, a couple of rough fellows whom he suspected were bound for the’robbers’ cave. They passed the two fugitives without dis- covering them, though they came so near that their conversation was distinctly overheard, and even understood, by Marion and her companion. cComicbooks ico