HARK FORRARD! 179 



a 'sister ship' freighted with an equally 

 charming cargo, narrowly escaped sharing the 

 same fate. 



' Spring your leaders now,' shouted Reginald 

 as the occupants of the first trap picked them- 

 selves up, and, accompanied by their friends 

 in the other, rushed at the coach ; * gallop ! 

 gallop ! ' But before Draycot could get steam 

 on, the roughs were on them, and had hold of 

 the leaders. 



' Come on now,' said Reginald. ' We have 

 no time to lose.' 



Down jumped everybody, and each singling 

 out his man, there was a free fight. Reginald 

 went straight for the biggest of the lot, who, 

 relinquishing his hold on the leader's head, put 

 up his hands, and led off with his left at 

 Reginald's head. Reginald simply ducked, and 

 before his adversary had time to recover himself 

 he put in both left and right, one, two, and 

 knocked him clean off his pins under the 

 leaders' feet. He had just time to steady him- 

 self when two hulking ruffians rushed him ; he 



N 2 



