That brave little woman
ought to make a man of every mother's son of us;" and he dashed
away so furiously that Phebe thought with a strange little tremor
at her heart that he might in his speed face the robbers all
alone. The stout yeomen clattered after him; the sound of their
pursuit soon died away; and Phebe returned to woman's work of
nursing, watching, and praying.
The bandits of the hills, not expecting such prompt retaliation,
were overtaken, and then followed a headlong race over the rough
mountain roads--guilty wretches flying for life, and stern men
almost reckless in the burning desire to avenge a terrible wrong.
Although the horses of the marauders were tired, their riders were
so well acquainted with the fastnesses of the wilderness that they
led the pursuers through exceedingly difficult and dangerous
paths. At last, June ever in the van, caught sight of a man's
form, and almost instantly his rifle awoke a hundred echoes among
the hills. When they reached the place, stains of blood marked the
ground, proving that at least a wound had been given.
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