Soon a horse fell , but the rider found his feet and continued to pursue his comrades till a second shot despatched him . Another man fell ; then another horse ; out of the whole troop there was but one fellow left , and he on foot ; only , in different directions , the noise of the galloping of three riderless horses was dying fast into the distance . All this time not one of the assailants had for a moment shown himself . Here and there along the path , horse or man rolled , undespatched , in his agony ; but no merciful enemy broke cover to put them from their pain . The solitary survivor stood bewildered in the road beside his fallen charger . He had come the length of that broad glade , with the island of timber , pointed out by Dick . He was not , perhaps , five hundred yards from where the boys lay hidden ; and they could see him plainly , looking to and fro in deadly expectation . But nothing came ; and the man began to pluck up his courage , and suddenly unslung and bent his bow . At the same time , by something in his action , Dick recognised Selden . At this offer of resistance , from all about him in the covert of the woods there went up the sound of laughter . A score of men , at least , for this was the very thickest of the ambush , joined in this cruel and untimely mirth . Then an arrow glanced over Selden 's shoulder ; and he leaped and ran a little back . Another dart struck quivering at his heel . He made for the cover . A third shaft leaped out right in his face , and fell short in front of him . And then the laughter was repeated loudly , rising and reechoing from different thickets . It was plain that his assailants were but baiting him , as men , in those days , baited the poor bull , or as the cat still trifles with the mouse . The skirmish was well over ; farther down the road , a fellow in green was already calmly gathering the arrows ; and now , in the evil pleasure of their hearts , they gave themselves the spectacle of their poor fellow-sinner in his torture . Selden began to understand ; he uttered a roar of anger , shouldered his cross-bow , and sent a quarrel at a venture into the wood . Chance favoured him , for a slight cry responded .
Then , throwing down his weapon , XXXXX began to run before him up the glade , and almost in a straight line for Dick and Matcham .
Dick Selden charger cross-bow days fro right second third torture