The robber fell at once without a sound.

Barton then fired at the man at the horse's head nearest him, and brought him down.

These shots were both fired as quick as a flash, but his aim had been unerring.

'Duck down, Davy, duck down,' he cried to me as he swung himself from the coach, and a volley of bullets passed over our heads.
[Illustration: "The old man reached over in front of me and fired."] "I followed his example, and in a hurry, too, and escaped unhurt.

Just then we heard two reports from the passengers inside, and in less time that it has taken me to tell it the scrimmage was over and the robbers who were unhurt had fled, leaving three of their number on the ground, two of them seriously wounded, and the other one as dead as a post, with a bullet hole plum through his forehead.
"As soon as they could the passengers clambered out of the coach, and by the aid of our lanterns, we found the robbers as I have just told you.
We all congratulated ourselves on our fortunate escape, and the old man was warmly commended for his forethought and for the gallant service he had rendered.
"I saw the old man did not seem disposed to say much, but I also noticed a look of grim satisfaction on his face as he looked down at the dead bandit.