I informed him that some one was following us, and that I feared highwaymen were on our track.
Hardly had I finished speaking to Dawson when I heard the report of a hand-fusil, back of the coach, near the spot where I had left John.

I quickly drew my sword, though it was a task of no small labor, owing to the numbness of my fingers.

I breathed along the blade to warm it, and then I hastened to John, whom I found in a desperate conflict with three ruffians.

No better swordsman than John ever drew blade, and he was holding his ground in the darkness right gallantly.

When I rode to his rescue, another hand-fusil was discharged, and then another, and I knew that we need have no more fear from bullets, for the three men had discharged their weapons, and they could not reload while John and I were engaging them.