SOME OF OUR NEIGHBOURS. 123 



had moved, nor had she lieard it fall out of the vehicle. 

 She wondered. 



'* Get on, you beggar 1 " cried Stephens, and he 

 whipped the horse. The animal responded gamely — 

 for two minutes ! 



All at once Mrs. Stephens laid her hand on her 

 husband's arm, exclaiming — 



"Alfred, what's that?" 



"What's what?" responded Stephens, irritably. 



"I'm sure something is following us. Have you 

 got your revolver? Listen." She half turned her 

 head, still keeping her hand on her husband's arm. 



"Revolver? No. What do I want a revolver 

 for?" 



" I'm sure there is something," cried Mrs. 

 Stephens again. " Don't you hear it? It sounds 

 like some big animal — and it's coming after us." 



"Well, yes," admitted Stephens. "I fancy I 

 have heard something for some time. The brute 

 seems to be keeping up with us, too. Get on ! get 

 on ! " And again the whip fell with stinging urgency 

 upon the back and sides of the Indian cayuse (native 

 horse). 



But the faster Stephens urged on his own animal," 

 the faster came the pursuing beast. They could now 

 hear it breathing hard as it raced along after them. 

 Indeed, Mrs. Stephens, glancing timorously over her 

 shoulder, saw a large form labouring after them in 

 the gloom. 



" Oh, do make Bonnie go on faster, Albert," cried 

 she, her fears getting the upper hand. " I'm sure 

 it will catch us soon ! " 



" Here, Bessie ! " cried Stephens. " Hold the reins 



