“S’ death! there he goes!” exclaimed the Confederate leader. “Quick! follow me!”
As one the twenty men sprang forward to intercept the fugitive’s flight.
Owing to a curve in the valley the horseman could not pursue a straight course.
Thus at the moment when his escape seemed certain he found his retreat cut off.
He was hemmed in.
As yet he had not fired a shot.
His assailants were now so close upon him that his rifle was useless save as a club.
If he realized his hopeless situation he did not hesitate in his headlong course.
“On, Wildbird, on!”
Like a Centaur he swept into the midst of his foes.