"I saw, however, before he drew it up another person wrapped up in a man's scarlet cloak. "'For God's sake, help--help!' cried out the person. 'For God's sake, help!' "I ordered my coachman to stop. "'Drive on!' said the gentleman, cursing his coachman. 'Drive on when I bid you I' "'Help!' again cried she, but with a voice as if her mouth was half stopped. "I called to my servants on horseback to stop the postilion of the other chariot; and I bid Sir Hargrave's coachman proceed at his peril. Then I alighted, and went round to the other side of the chariot. "Again the lady endeavoured to cry out. I saw Sir Hargrave struggle to pull over her mouth a handkerchief, which was tied around her head. He swore outrageously. "The moment she beheld me, she spread out both her hands--'For God's sake!' "'Sir Hargrave Pollexfen,' said I, 'by the arms. You are engaged, I doubt, in a very bad affair.' "'I _am_ Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, and am carrying a fugitive wife.' "'Your _own_ wife, Sir Hargrave?' "'Yes, by heaven!' said he. 'And she was going to elope from me at a damned masquerade!' "'Oh, no, no, no!' said the lady. "'Let me ask the lady a question, Sir Hargrave. Are you, madam, Lady Pollexfen?' said I. "'Oh, no, no, no!' was all she could say. "Two of my servants came about me; a third held the head of the horse on which the postilion sat. Three of Sir Hargrave's approached on their horses, but seemed as if afraid to come too near, and parleyed together. "'Have an eye to those fellows,' said I. 'Some base work is on foot. Sirrah!'--to the coachman--'proceed at your peril!' "Sir Hargrave then, with violent curses and threatenings, ordered him to drive over everyone that opposed him. "'Oh, sir--sir,' cried the lady, 'help me, for I am in a villain's hands! Trick'd--vilely trick'd!' "'Do you,' said I to my servants, 'cut the traces if you cannot otherwise stop this chariot! Leave Sir Hargrave to me!' "The lady continued screaming, and crying out for help. Sir Hargrave drew his sword, and then called upon his servants to fire at all that opposed his progress. "'My servants, Sir Hargrave, have firearms as well as yours. They will not dispute my orders. Don't provoke me to give the word.' Then, addressing the lady: 'Will you, madam, put yourself into my protection?' "'Oh, yes, yes, with my whole heart! Dear, good sir, protect me!' "I opened the chariot door. Sir Hargrave made a pass at me. "'Take _that_ for your insolence, scoundrel!' said he. "I was aware of his thrust, and put it by; but his sword a little raked my shoulder. My sword was in my hand, but undrawn. "The chariot door remaining open. I seized him by the collar before he could recover himself from the pass he had made at me, and with a jerk and a kind of twist, laid him under the hind wheel of his chariot. I wrenched his sword from him, and snapped it, and flung the two pieces over my head.