In an encounter between two such swordsmen the result could not for a moment be doubtful. Andrew made a lunge that was prettily stopped by Colonel Blood. His next attempt, however, was more successful. Andrew rushed to closer distance, and pricked the arm, from which blood flowed copiously. “Damnation!” swore the infuriated swordsman. “To be beaten by this country clown is a lasting disgrace; nevertheless, he shan’t live to boast of it!” He gathered himself together for a final stroke, which would have proved fatal to the brave rustic, but Andrew turned the colonel’s point. A desperate struggle now ensued on the narrow bridge. They seized each other by the throat. Their weapons were in dead lock. A single moment would decide all. The strength of each was about equal, and giant-like were their struggles. But a trick saved Blood. He quickly placed one foot behind Andrew’s leg and back-heeled him. This was fatal to Andrew. He fell. In the act of falling Colonel Blood stabbed him. The brave rustic threw up his hands with a sharp cry of pain, and rolled into the shining river. “Fool!” said Colonel Blood, with a contemptuous oath, as he looked into the bright waters beneath him, rippling and eddying in the moonlight. “Fool! How dare the village dolt to cross my path; so be it with all who dare cross the path of Colonel Blood.” He threw the red blade into the small narrow river stream, and bound up his arm with his handkerchief. “Now for the pretty wench,” said he. “If I succeed in carrying her forth, my fortune is made. Stop! what was that sound?” He stood and listened. “Help! help!” cried a distant voice. “Murder! Help! help!” CHAPTER X. JONAS MEETS WITH A STRANGE ADVENTURE. When Jonas left his master to go to their rendezvous he little dreamt of what was in store for him. The horses and carriage were drawn up at the appointed spot, and Jonas, thinking of the large reward which the colonel had often promised him, was on the bright look out for the pre-arranged signal. Now, as we have seen, Miller Harmer had been informed of this mysterious stranger in Darlington, and had watched him and his servant, and even heard the pre-arranged signal. He had long sighed for an opportunity of confronting the bold stranger, who so slyly had crept into the good graces of his daughter, but whose name, rank, and intentions he knew not. The first thing to do was to procure assistance. He went straightway to the lock-up, and informed the authorities of his suspicions. “It may be one of them chaps as came in masks t’other night and rescued Bob Bertram,” said a burly officer, indignant at the idea of the disgrace which had thus been cast upon them. For it must be explained here that Wildfire Ned and his groom had effected Bob’s rescue in the manner described about one o’clock in the morning, when all the village was wrapped in sleep, and the two constables on guard were half tipsy.