Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/361

Rh word of your coming, and we 're here for your letters."

Robert Dorlon felt a shiver sweep over his body as the man spoke, but his attitude for an instant did not change. His hand was still upon his pistol, but he knew that the rifles in the hands of these men, who evidently were his enemies, would be heard before he himself could fire.

There was a gleam in his eyes, however, that did not imply fear or despair as quickly he drew forth the weapon and fired directly at the men; then he shouted to Nero, pulled savagely upon the rein, turned his horse back into the wood, and prepared to attempt, at least, to escape.

With great leaps Nero responded, and for a moment a slight hope rose in Robert's heart that he might succeed. He had not waited to discover what the effect of his own shot had been, and as his horse bounded forward he leaned low upon the neck of the faithful animal and did not once look behind him. His eyes, too, were closed; and the seconds seemed to him to be like hours as he waited for the reports of their guns. Nor had he gone far before the loud reports were heard. There was a sharp pain in his shoulder and he was aware that he had been struck by a bullet, but he still clung