A sudden blow on the side of the head admonished the robber that he
had more than one to deal with.
"Leave this man instantly," said the cooper, sternly, "or I will
deliver you into the hands of the police."
The villain hesitated, but fear prevailed, and springing to his
feet, he hastily made off under cover of the darkness.
"I hope you have received no injury," said Timothy, respectfully,
turning towards the stranger he had rescued.
"No, my worthy friend, thanks to your timely assistance. The rascal
nearly succeeded, however."
"I hope you have lost nothing, sir."
"Nothing, fortunately. You can form an idea of the value of your
interference, when I say that I have fifteen hundred dollars with
me, all of which I should undoubtedly have lost."
"I am glad," said the cooper, "that I was able to do you such
essential service. It was by the merest chance that I came this
way."
"Will you add to my indebtedness by accompanying me with that trusty
club of yours? I have some little distance yet to go, and the amount
of money I have with me makes me feel desirous of taking every
possible precaution."
"Willingly," said the cooper.
"But I am forgetting," said the gentleman, "that you yourself will
be obliged to return alone."
"I do not carry enough money to make me fear an attack," said Mr.
Crump, laughing.
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