was certainly made by the hoofs of more than two horses.

"Face about, men, trot! Keep your horses well in hand, until the others
come up, and then ride for it.

"Ah, what is that!"

As he spoke, there was a shout from the other end of the village,
followed instantly by the trampling of horses.

"They have surrounded us!" Walter exclaimed. "Shoulder to shoulder, lads,
and cut your way through. It's our only chance. Charge!"

And, placing himself at the head, he set spurs to his horse and dashed at
the approaching enemy.

There was a fierce shock. A horse and rider rolled over from the impetus
of his charge, then he cut right and left; pistol shots rang out, and his
horse fell beneath him, shot through the head, pinning his leg beneath
it.

The fall saved his life, for four or five troopers had surrounded him,
and in another moment he would have been cut down. For a time, he ran
great risk of being trampled upon, in the confusion which followed. Then
some of the troopers dismounted, he was dragged from beneath his horse,
and found himself a prisoner. He was placed in the centre of the troop,
the only captive taken, for two of the six men had got safe away in the
darkness and confusion, the other four had fallen.

The English, as he afterwards learned, had, immediately they arrived at