Война миров

           Themanbeforehim,aburlyrough,triedtoclose,andhestoppedhimwithablowintheface. Then,realisingthathewasdeserted,hedodgedroundandmadeoffdownthelaneafterthechaise,withthesturdymanclosebehindhim,andthefugitive,whohadturnednow,followingremotely. 

           Suddenlyhestumbledandfell; hisimmediatepursuerwentheadlong,andherosetohisfeettofindhimselfwithacoupleofantagonistsagain. Hewouldhavehadlittlechanceagainstthemhadnottheslenderladyverypluckilypulledupandreturnedtohishelp. Itseemsshehadhadarevolverallthistime,butithadbeenundertheseatwhensheandhercompanionwereattacked. Shefiredatsixyards’distance,narrowlymissingmybrother. Thelesscourageousoftherobbersmadeoff,andhiscompanionfollowedhim,cursinghiscowardice. Theybothstoppedinsightdownthelane,wherethethirdmanlayinsensible. 

           "Takethis!"saidtheslenderlady,andshegavemybrotherherrevolver. 

           "Gobacktothechaise,"saidmybrother,wipingthebloodfromhissplitlip. 

           Sheturnedwithoutaword—theywerebothpanting—andtheywentbacktowheretheladyinwhitestruggledtoholdbackthefrightenedpony. 

           Therobbershadevidentlyhadenoughofit. Whenmybrotherlookedagaintheywereretreating. 

           "I’llsithere,"saidmybrother,"ifImay";andhegotupontheemptyfrontseat. Theladylookedoverhershoulder. 

           "Givemethereins,"shesaid,andlaidthewhipalongthepony’sside. Inanothermomentabendintheroadhidthethreemenfrommybrother’seyes.