Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigands of Greece Part 15

"Monday, Monday!" said Harvey, eagerly, "where are they?"

"Hullo, Ma.s.sa d.i.c.k!" said faithful Monday; "I'se gwine to give this fellar toko an' den I'll jine yar."

"He's done for," said d.i.c.k, hastily. "Come now."

"He might come too," said Monday, in some doubt.

"No fear."

"Perhaps."

"Why, he'll never trouble anyone more," returned Harvey; "tell me, where have they gone?"

"They went straight on."

"This road?"

"Yes."

"Good. Come or stay. I'll go," exclaimed Harvey.

And off he ran.

Monday gave his silent enemy a shake to see if it was all over.

"He's a gone c.o.o.n," he said to himself. "I'll bolt off after Ma.s.sa d.i.c.k."

Away he ran at a good swinging trot.

In about ten minutes more he came up with him.

And this was under the most alarming circ.u.mstances.

Not very long after this a horseman dashed up to the spot, and only drew rein to give a glance at the lifeless form of the wretched Matteo.

"He's dead," said the horseman, who was none other than Jack Harkaway.

"This looks like some of d.i.c.k's handiwork. d.i.c.k or some of our party. I hope d.i.c.k is safe." Saying which, he whipped up his horse, and tore on at a mad gallop.

A very few moments after this he came up with the brigands with their captives.

Just in the nick of time.

Hunston and Toro were there both with their hands full, while the Greeks had all their work to do to take care of the two captive girls.

Little Emily and Paquita, having now recovered from their surprise, were lending a.s.sistance to the cause by keeping all the Greeks fully occupied in looking after them.

And while they were thus occupied, Sunday and d.i.c.k Harvey were engaged with Toro and Hunston.

d.i.c.k had rushed so violently upon Hunston that the latter was toppled over, and it looked as though Harvey was about to make short work with their old enemy.

But alas for Sunday!

The poor negro was overmatched.

His heart was good, but the weight and enormous strength of the Italian were too much for him to vanquish.

That he had not as yet succ.u.mbed to Toro, was due only to his vastly superior agility and activity.

It was all in vain for the Italian ruffian to try and close with him.

Sunday would not have this.

He knew that his chance lay in keeping Toro at a respectful distance.

And so he danced round him, dropping in an occasional smart rap which goaded the Italian to fury.

"Help!" cried Hunston. "Cut him down! cut him down!"

One of the brigands rushed at Harvey knife in hand, and thus created a momentary diversion in his favour.

Had not Harkaway just then appeared upon the scene it might have gone hard with his comrade d.i.c.k.

Prompt, however, to act at this critical juncture, Harkaway spurred his horse into the group and rode them down.

Then reining up, he flung himself from his horse, and went into the melee.

"I'm in it, d.i.c.k, old boy," cried Jack; "here's one for Harkaway."

"Hurrah!" shouted d.i.c.k, in great excitement. "A Harkaway! a Harkaway to the rescue!"

Toro turned to Harkaway with a cry of rage.

"Curse you!" he exclaimed; "I'll have your life now, or you shall have mine."

"By all means," said old Jack, cheerfully.

"Cur!"

"Come, now," said Harkaway, with subdued rage, "I can't stand that; take this!"

And before Toro knew where he was, he got it.

It was not as pleasant as he could have wished when he did get it.

A devil of a thud it came upon his nose, a fair blow with Harkaway's fist, and being delivered straight from the shoulder, it seemed to the Italian like the kick of a donkey.

Toro shook all over.

His eyes flashed fireworks, and he was half stunned for the moment.