Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 201 the road opens upon the wide common called Harford Flats. This ascent was made with a still decreasing speed, and when the vehicle arrived at the summit, the horses, beaten by their own exertions, spontaneously stopped to recover breath. Alfred was about to reproach the post-boy for his rashness in thus sutlering himself to be mastered by steeds whose mettle was not to be idly tampered with: but he checked himself in time to recollect that the vitupera- tion he meditated would not come within the limits of that indi- vidual’s comprehension. He however caused the door to be opened, and descended to examine the chaise, in order to ascertain if the linch-pins were in their places, and if the wheels had experienced any damage. While he was thus engaged, the distant sounds of horses’ hoofs met his ears ; and in the course of a minute three men, mounted on ‘‘stalworth chargers,’ galloped up to the spot where the post-chaise was standing. Tnstea of passing by, they suddenly halted, and, with one accord, leaped to the ground. Alfred started from the stooping posture in which he was bent towards the box of one of the wheels, the moment he heard that simultaneous inovement on the part of the strangers; and a suspicion of their design instantly. flashed across his mind. He made a rush toward the door of the chaise, in order to seize his pistols; but, as if his aim were antici- pated, the foremost of the three robbers threw himself between our hero and the carriage, while a second pinioned his arms behind him. The third ran forward to secure the postillion; he, however, searched in vain; that wary individual had slipped away the instant he perceived the vile intentions of the three travellers. De Rosann made a desperate effort to disengage himself from the vigorous grasp that had assailed him ; and, by a turn more dexterous than powerful, he once more regained the freedom of his arms. To dash aside the man who had intervened between himself and the carriage, was the work of an instant, and the robber fell so heavil against one of the wheels, that he rolled senseless to the round, apparently stunned by the sudden blow. Our hero's pistols were on the seat of the carriage; the door was open, and the step was down. He leapt lightly up, and succeeded in securing the loaded weapons, ere he was again attacked. All this was the work of a second: but before he had time to turn and confront his enemies, he was tripped up from behind, and levelled with the ground as he attempted to descend from the first step of the carriage whereon he had mounted to reach his pistols, one of which exploded as he fell. : No sooner was De Rosann thus powerless on the muddy road, than one of the two robbers who remained capable of acting--for the other was still senseless—leaped upon our hero to prevent him from rising, and presented a large clasp-knife to the back of his neck, touching the skin with the point, and instantly withdrawing . it, not from motives of cruelty, but merely to show the vicinity of the murderous weapon. The companion of the man thus employed in acting as sentry over De Rosann, proceeded to examine the carriage, and, for that purpose, he detached one of the lanterns COMRnIClooo SS (GO)