Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

WHAT THE MOON SAW ON THE OLD STONE PIKE: 31 The sound of horses’ hoofs and the rattle of car- riage wheels came faintly to Chetwood’s ear. He placed his hand in his coat-pocket and drew forth a revolver, which he cocked, and then returned © to its hiding-place. The time for action had arrived. Nearer and nearer came the vehicle. | A turn in the road presently brought it into view, rolling along at a sharp pace. Two minutes more it was close at hand, and Royal stepped boldly out on the road-way. The driver pulled his team up short. A head was thrust from one of the openings of the carriage, and a voice demanded the cause of the sud- den stoppage. A stifled scream hastened the climax. In an instant Chetwood stepped up beside the con- veyanice. : “Ts Major de Banyan here?” he said. “FRaith, I am,’’ replied that worthy, putting out his head. ‘‘Who the divil are you, and what do you want ?”? ‘Step outside, if you please.”’ ‘Outside, is it? ’Pon my honor, but that’s a cool way of introducing yourself. I don’t know you. Drive on!”’ ) “Stop !?? exclaimed Royal, sternly. ‘‘I have bus- iness with this gentleman. ”’ ‘The divil you have. You seem to know me, but, by the hoofs of Balaam’s donkey, you have the best of me, faith. What do you want? Speak quick!” ‘Come out of the carriage.’’ ) “By—— I don’t know as I will,”’ said Major de . Banyan, suddenly thrusting a revolver into Chet- wood’s face. Royal, quick as thought, thrust the weapon aside, and it exploded harmlessly. Then he turned the han- af EO -comichooks nm