Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

STOPPED ON THE VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS. 1°9 dragged into the coach, which now begins to make better time, as the driver allows his horses a little more freedom. Soon the brow of the elevation will be reached, and then they must descend, when the brake with which the vehicle is provided will be brought into requisition. Bob has his head out and listens—above the rattle of the wheels he hears shots in the rear, and might imagine the mountain brigands were having it out among themselves only that one of the bullets sings merrily by, in close proximity to his ear. It is evident, then, that the Bagleys have recovered some of their usual fighting qualities, and are chas- ing the carriage, which, with its contents, seems to be giving them the slip, after all. If it were daylight they could make such good time that the danger of being overtaken must be reduced to a minimum; but at the same time there would be a chance of a rifle bullet from some keen-eyed moun- taineer’s weapon dropping a horse. At last they are over the brow of the hill, and for a brief time beyond range of their determined pursuers. Bob does not like this running business, but it is certainly policy, and besides how can they help it. The worst part of it all is this haphazard shooting. At any instant a bullet may dash into the vehicle and kill one of them. ; He places Gypsy in a position where she will be, in a measure, protected by the valises, but she imme- diately divines his motive and refuses to profit by it. iim GEomichbooksneco