BLENHEIM, S.C. (July 26, 2012)--Ruby Hodge, 89, a South Carolina widow, chased off two bandits with a .38 caliber pistol she pulled from under her mattress.

Hodge told the Florence Morning News the gun belonged to her late husband, who died more than 20 years ago.

Authorities said two suspects were later arrested, after a passerby noted the license plate number of their vehicle.