Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/289

Rh As the men broke and fled, for a moment he stood motionless and glanced eagerly all about him, but it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe in the dim light. The shouting was also confusing, and the men appeared to be coming from every side.

Instantly he cast himself upon the ground by the roadside, resolved to lie quiet till the first excitement had passed. That the attacking party consisted of friends he had no doubt, and as soon as the redcoats had fled and the others were masters of the field, he would arise and declare himself. A feeling of exultation possessed him. He had been able to retain the precious letter which had been intrusted to his keeping, and soon he would be able to return and secure his horse, and then could once more push swiftly forward on his way. The shouts and calls of the men sounded almost like music in his ears. The presence of friends at such a moment, of all times, was most welcome. He lifted his head from the ground and gazed about him. He could see the dim outlines of men in the distance, but pursuers and pursued were much alike in the dim light. A half dozen men were coming swiftly up the road toward the place where he was lying, and they were shouting wildly