Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

173 STOPPED ON THE VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS. Just as patience ceases to be a virtue with the men, and they are demanding in no uncertain tones that the inmates of the vehicle step out and be searched, the event which Senator J ohn has been awaiting so eagerly occurs. Loud shouts burst out, and the shots begin to rattle ata lively rate. If one did not know any better, he would be apt to believe there were half a dozen in the attacking force at least. Naturally the outlaws are demoralized, not dream- ing of such a thing. They doubtless imagine this has been some trick of the officials to effect their capture —that the carriage is a bait, and in attacking it they have fallen into a trap. It does not matter that few are hurt by the rapid discharge of firearms—the panic is the same. For one full minute pandemonium reigns—shouts mingle with shots, hurrying figures surge this way and that. Bob and Hooker rush upon the scene, still firing to wound, while they add their voices to swell the clamor, and even Mrs. Bob thinks she ought to scream to have a finger in the pie. Luckily, the driver succeeds in a measure in restraining his horses, which prance and endeavor to dash away. The outlaws in their demoralized state have by this time melted away—some run, others crawl, and one fellow actually rolls into the bushes. As the coast seems clear Bob and his friend run after the carriage, which is moving along the road, the driver being unable to longer restrain his steeds. Joe climbs up the back. Bob finds a door open for him, a helping hand is extended and he is half CEOMMNIClOOKS COA)