It was worth a thought , to be sure ; for if the voice of the big guns were thus become audible in Tunstall Forest , the fight must have rolled ever eastward , and the day , by consequence , gone sore against Sir Daniel and the lords of the dark rose . But presently the little troop began again to move forward , and came next to a very open , heathy portion of the way , where but a single tongue of forest ran down to join the road . They were but just abreast of this , when an arrow shone flying . One of the men threw up his arms , his horse reared , and both fell and struggled together in a mass . Even from where the boys lay they could hear the rumour of the men 's voices crying out ; they could see the startled horses prancing , and , presently , as the troop began to recover from their first surprise , one fellow beginning to dismount . A second arrow from somewhat farther off glanced in a wide arch ; a second rider bit the dust . The man who was dismounting lost hold upon the rein , and his horse fled galloping , and dragged him by the foot along the road , bumping from stone to stone , and battered by the fleeing hoofs . The four who still kept the saddle instantly broke and scattered ; one wheeled and rode , shrieking , towards the ferry ; the other three , with loose rein and flying raiment , came galloping up the road from Tunstall . From every clump they passed an arrow sped . 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 XXXXX 's shoulder ; and he leaped and ran a little back .
Daniel Forest Selden Tunstall dismount fro left raiment rumour second