Mezzoni the Brigand — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

29 MEZZONI THE BRIGAND. by asledge-hammer. At this juncture the fellow at the horses’ heads instantly fired a shot, which in turn caused the American to drop to the ground be- side the fallen robber. The highwayman rose at once from the earth, and without seeming to notice particularly the blow and fall which he had ex- perienced, still retaining his revolver, presented it at the other American, who was now hastening to assist his friend, and said in good English: ‘You will simplify this affair very much by hand- ing me your purses and watches at once. I have no desire to shoot you.”’ ‘‘Let them have them,’’ exclaimed the terrified la- dies, holding out their own, as the second robber now came to the side of the vehicle. ‘Tam unarmed, or I would shoot you first,’’ said the American. “‘Have you murdered him?”’’ pointing to his insensible friend, who still lay upon the eround. ‘““Your purses and watches first—there will be time enough to attend to your friend afterward,”’ was the answer. While the second robber rifled the person of the insensible man, those in the vehicle gave up their valuables, and in five minutes more both of the highwaymen had left them and disappeared in the fast-increasing darkness. Fortunately the Ameri- can who had saluted the first robber with such a blow had only been stunned by a scalp wound from the other’s pistol, but which came within an inch of taking his life. Congratulating each other that they had only lost that which could easily be replaced the party were once more soon on their way to the city. “That was a splendid knock-down argument of comicbooks.com —