It
is not necessary to say that the performance of "As You Like It" came to
an abrupt end, because it was not as they liked it. Everybody knew by
this time that they had seen the celebrated "train robbers."
Jackie Blake was half dressed when he leaped to his feet with an
exclamation so loud that those preceding it were whispers.
"Holy smoke!" fell from his lips; and then he dashed across the green to
the women's dressing tent. "Cora! Cora! Come out!"
"I can't," came back in muffled tones.
"Then good-bye; I'm off!" he shouted. That brought her, partially
dressed, from the tent. "Say, do you remember the river road we walked
over to-day? Well, those fellows went in that direction, didn't they?
Don't you see? Aren't you on? The washout! If they don't know about it
the whole bunch is at the bottom of the ravine or in the river by this
time! Mum's the word! There's a chance, darling; the reward said 'dead
or alive!' I'm off!"
She tried to call him back, but it was too late. With his own revolver
in his hand, the half Orlando, half Blake, tore down the rarely
travelled river road south. Behind him Tinkletown raved and wailed over
the great calamity, but generally stood impotent in the face of it all.
But few felt inclined to pursue the robbers. Blake soon had the race to
himself. It was a mile or more to the washout in the road, but the
excitement made him keen for the test.
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