Marcus Ellison showed that he was not a whit less prompt or nimble than his companion, for by this time he had gained a perch upon the top of the vehicle. In the midst of this scene, which called forth the wondering exclamations of the regular passengers, to say nothing of the ejaculations of the old driver, the stentorian call of Jack Carboy could be heard for half a mile: “Ahoy! lay to, yer land lubbers.” “Stop, Jim!” called out Dean smartly. “My friend has got to get to Landlock with us. You can take us as well as not.” Seeing that he was dealing with one who would not be stopped, muttering over something about “hot-headed boys!” the stager pulled up his horses to wait for the old sailor. Puffing and snorting his rage over the race he had had, Jack Carboy soon reached the side of the coach. “Throw the life line,” he cried. “Blast yer picters, how’s a-one going to get aboard this craft?” Jack quickly swung himself upward to a seat beside Dean, when Jim Dolittle whirled his long blacksnake whip with some avail, the horses snorted after a manner which was music to his ears, and the old coach went rattling and bouncing along the country road at a merry pace. “This seems like business,” declared Dean. “Here we go, Jack.” Jack Carboy, clinging to his seat with both hands, made no reply. The road along which the old stage was drawn by the stout horses proved rough and hilly, so that at times the coach was given fearful jolts. Occasionally a cry would come from one of those within the vehicle calling for moderation in speed where the condition of the highway was worst, but the grim old driver, aroused by the addition of his late passengers, no doubt, seemed determined to get his revenge, proof of which was given in his muttered words: “I’ll gin ’em ’nough on’t. As if I didn’t know when I had load ’nough.” “Ho! reef yer topsails!” roared Jack, as they thundered down a long, sharp descent. “By the harpoon o’ Neptune! these seas be the roughest I ever sailed. Hi!” They were turning an angle in the road, while the horses were pounding furiously forward, when the old spring on the off side snapped like rotten twine, and the body of the coach suddenly lurched in that direction, as if it was going to collapse entirely. A chorus of cries from the passengers inside rang above the furious sounds, while the startled group was thrown into a struggling body of men and women. But it fared worst than this with Marcus Ellison, who was riding on top of the reeling stage. The violence of the mishap caused him to lose his hold upon the railing of the coach top, and before he could recover himself he was flung through the air into the dense bushes fringing the highway. Seeing his doubled-up form flying through the space, Jack Carboy bawled: “Hi, there, skipper! man overboard!” CHAPTER V. AN AMAZING DISCOVERY.