"Lord have mercy upon us! what's the matter ?" exclaimed a voice.

"Spare my life," cried another voice, apparently from the ground; "only spare my life, and take all I have." "Where are you, Master Wise ?" cried the other voice.

"Help! here, Master Bat," cried the voice from the ground, "help me up or I shall be murdered." "Why, what's the matter ?" said Bat.

"Some one has knocked me down, and is robbing me," said the voice from the ground.

"Help! murder!" cried Bat; and, regardless of the entreaties of the man on the ground that he would stay and help him up, he urged his horse forward and galloped away as fast as he could.