He made a terrific dash, a last and final attempt upon Ned, and shouted aloud,
“Edward Warbeck, die! Down, down! die!”
“Never!” said Ned, as with a well-aimed and powerful blow he struck his opponent fair on the head, and felled him to the earth.
“Conquered, conquered!” shouted Ned, aloud, in wild triumph.
He turned to look for his smitten foe.
He was nowhere to be seen!
Astonished as he was at this strange occurrence he was much more astounded at what he then heard.
While looking about in search of some trace of his grim, gaunt opponent, the sounds of pistol shots and loud shouts reached his ears!
He listened.
Again and again he could distinctly discern quick, successive reports of fire-arms.