The road ran through the woods and along the high bluff that overlooked the river.

He did not know it, but this same road was a "short cut" to the macadam pike farther south.
By taking this route the robbers gave Boggs City a wide berth.
Blake's mind was full of the possibilities of disaster to the over-confident fugitives.

The washout was fresh, and he was counting on the chance that they were not aware of its existence.

If they struck it even at half speed the whole party would be hurled a hundred feet down to the edge of the river or into the current itself.

In that event, some, if not all, would be seriously injured.
As he neared the turn in the road, his course pointed out to him by the stars above, he was startled half out of his boots by the sudden appearance of a man, who staggered from the roadside and wobbled painfully away, pleading for mercy.
"Halt, or I'll shoot!" called Jackie Blake, and the pathetic figure not only halted, but sat down in the middle of the road.
"For the Lord's sake, don't shoot!" groaned a hoarse voice.