[Illustration: _FIGHT BETWEEN HOGAN AND DONNELLY NEAR FORT ERIE._]
"Halt!" came in a threatening voice from one of the bandits.
"Hand over your money without kicking, and you are all right. Make any show of resistance, and you drop where you stand!"
Ben had no idea of handing over his money, and still less of dropping where he stood. He took in the position in an instant. He was in the hands of desperadoes who were fully prepared to put a bullet through his heart if the occasion demanded it. One man against three made force out of the question. He must save himself, if at all, by strategy. His ready wit and perfect self-possession stood him in good stead at that perilous moment.
"Gentlemen," said he, quietly, and without the slightest indication of fear, "you have got on to the wrong track this time. I haven't money enough with me to buy drinks for the crowd. But look here. If you want to make a raise, I can tell you how to do it. Do you hear that sound of carriage wheels?"
Indistinctly in the distance could be distinguished the rumbling of an approaching vehicle.
"Yes," said one of the robbers, "we hear it, but what's that to us?"
"I'll tell you," answered Ben, speaking in a low, rapid tone. "That carriage contains a woman who has been stopping at my place. She came down from Pittsburgh the other day, with a boodle that would make your mouth water. She's got five thousand dollars with her, in cash, and diamonds that are worth as much more. She'll pass here in three minutes. There's nobody but the driver with her. Don't kill 'em, but just make them come down with the treasure quietly. Mind, now, I stand in with you on this job. If it's needed, I'll help you. If not, you must divy, because I've given you the points. Here comes the carriage now!"
The robbers were thrown completely off their guard. The prospect of making a ten-thousand dollar haul, proved too dazzling to be resisted.
"It's a go!" said the leader, turning toward the approaching vehicle.
No sooner had the highwaymen turned their attention to their expected game, than Ben disappeared in the darkness, and ran along the road at the top of his speed toward his own house. This he reached in safety, leaving the robbers to grapple with the occupants of the carriage.