peril of the rider, who was nearly thrown from his seat. In a moment, the
glittering blade of steel was at his breast. Just then, the moon broke
through a rift in the clouds, and being directly in a line with the road,
shone fully on the group and into the face of the traveler.

"By Jove! it's the wrong man!" exclaimed Dick, as he lowered his blade and
looked at Bill inquiringly.

"So it is!" said Bill; and then, addressing the stranger, continued: "Beg
pardon, sir, for our interruption. We have mistaken you for a notorious
villain, thief, and robber, who was to pass this way to-night, and who, as
the laws are too weak to protect us, we have determined to punish
ourselves. The fact is, these, horse-thieves must be dealt with, and that
speedily, too, or there will be no such thing as safety for our stock. For
our parts, we have resolved to defend our property at all hazards, and
others will have to do the same thing, or keep nothing of their own, for
these thieves are banded together, and they are so numerous, and some of
them so respectable, it is impossible to convict them before a jury; they
swear each other off. Hope you will not think evil of our plans."

"To tell the truth, gentlemen, (for I take you to be gentlemen in
disguise,) there is too much reality in what you say. I fear we shall have
to take the law into our own hands, for these depredators are becoming so
numerous and bold, there is no telling to what length their wickedness may
run. These thieving operations _must_ be stopped, cost what it may; but it
seems to me this is a bad place to commence the work; it looks too much
like secret murder. When I have recourse to the last resort in defense of
my property it will be upon my own promises, and while the villains are in
the act of crime."