"You will not find it hard, my lad"; but as if this was not enough, he turned back, and taking my hand, bade me not to fear, adding that he would see that my uncle got word of what had happened on the succeeding day. *CHAPTER XXVIII* *GILBERT AND THE HIGHWAYMAN JOIN FORCES* When they were gone the moon served in some measure to light the room, and taking advantage of it, I examined the window and door, to see if there was not some way of escape. In vain, however; and discouraged I sat down on the empty bench, thinking how much better off I had been the night before, for then at least I was free. While thus overcome by my sad thoughts, the robber spoke up, and with such cheerfulness and strength of voice that I turned to him in astonishment. "So the little spook of a lawyer has trapped you, too, has he? But why so sad about it?" At this I only stared, but after a while, remembering poor Fox and Mr. Lincoln’s grand way, I answered: "Yes, I’m trapped, and without reason." "That is always the way. Reason plays hide and seek with us, but might is always on hand and wide awake. Moth puts me in jail because I sought to harm him. He too ought to be here, though, for seeking to harm you; but he is free and you are in jail, and that is the way it goes. There is always some bit of injustice, I have noticed, in everything that is done," the robber went on, but more as if talking to himself than to me. "What have you done that he’s after you?" I asked, interested in him because of his cheerful way and kind speech. "Me! I tried to rob him." "To rob him!" I exclaimed, wondering that any one should try to rob Moth. "Yes, in the woods, as he was pursuing you. For you are the lad, I expect, that went by as I lay in wait." "Yes," I answered, not knowing whether I was or no. "After you had passed he came along, his horse all afoam, and I followed on. When he stopped at the place where you left the road, I called to him to throw up his hands, but instead he drew a pistol and fired at me point-blank." "The rascal!" I interrupted; for everything that Moth did appeared hateful to me. "Yes, and I, not to be outdone, fired back, but over his head, thinking to frighten him; and truly enough, for he turned and fled. My horse was the better of the two, but he the lighter, so for a long time there was no advantage. At last, my animal having the best wind, I overhauled him, and releasing a pistol I raised it and fired, intending, as before, to frighten him into giving up his purse, for I do not think I could kill a man if I were starving." "Well?" "Well, just as I fired, my horse, left to himself, stumbled, and falling on his face, threw me over his head into the road." "Then what happened?" I asked, sympathizing with him in his misfortune.