just abreast of this, when an arrow shone flying. One of the men

threw up his arms, his horse reared, and both fell and struggled

together in a mass. Even from where the boys lay they could hear

the rumour of the men's voices crying out; they could see the

startled horses prancing, and, presently, as the troop began to

recover from their first surprise, one fellow beginning to

dismount. A second arrow from somewhat farther off glanced in a

wide arch; a second rider bit the dust. The man who was

dismounting lost hold upon the rein, and his horse fled galloping,

and dragged him by the foot along the road, bumping from stone to

stone, and battered by the fleeing hoofs. The four who still kept

the saddle instantly broke and scattered; one wheeled and rode,

shrieking, towards the ferry; the other three, with loose rein and

flying raiment, came galloping up the road from Tunstall. From

every clump they passed an arrow sped. Soon a horse fell, but the

rider found his feet and continued to pursue his comrades till a

second shot despatched him. Another man fell; then another horse;

out of the whole troop there was but one fellow left, and he on

foot; only, in different directions, the noise of the galloping of

three riderless horses was dying fast into the distance.

All this time not one of the assailants had for a moment shown

himself. Here and there along the path, horse or man rolled,

undespatched, in his agony; but no merciful enemy broke cover to

put them from their pain.

The solitary survivor stood bewildered in the road beside his

fallen charger. He had come the length of that broad glade, with

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