Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

174 THE WALKING WAS GOOD. is little danger of that with the coach lurching from side to side in such an extravagant way. “T’m on deck, my boy,’’ answers the old tourist, in a stage whisper, which, however, reaches other ears. “Do you think we’ll be attacked ?’’ asks Gypsy. ‘““Probably not, but some one is talking to the driver, and we had better be prepared.”’ They can see a fire blazing without and although the place is surrounded by trees, and walls, making it naturally gloomy and dark, the tongues of flames, feeding on the resinous pine wood, light up the scene in a weird manner. Without any warning a head, surmounted by a shock of hair, suddenly appears at the door of the vehicle and a nasal voice says: “‘Gentlemen, if you value your lives——’’ when four terrible weapons are suddenly thrust into his face, almost paralyzing the wretch and causing his shock of hair to stand on end. ‘‘Great shucks!’’ he is heard to gasp, faintly. Before any further action is taken the driver of the vehicle comes to the rescue. ‘“Hold up, gents, don’t fire!’’ he exclaims. ‘“We’ve got the tables turned and might as well make him hand over his ducats,’’ says Bob. ‘“Who d’ye take him for, gents?’ ‘One of the Bagley gang, perhaps old Jim him- self,’’ replies Joe, whereat the Jehu laughs, hoarsely. ‘Why, this here old innocent air Peter Ginsing, the charcoal burner. He thought as how he’d do you a service. Reckon you’re nigh scart his wits out.’ CONMMEMOO<Saeolnn