He uttered a sudden shout,
and raked the side of his horse with both spurs.
His horse was not only large and powerful but of a most high spirit.
When he heard that shout and felt the burning slash of the spurs he
made a blind but mighty leap forward. The horse of the first stranger,
smitten by so great a weight, fell in the road and his rider went down
with him. The enraged horse then leaped clear of both and darted
forward at headlong speed.
As his horse sprang Dick threw himself flat upon his neck, and the
bullet that the second man fired whistled over his head. By impulse he
drew his own pistol and fired back. He saw the man's pistol arm fall
as if broken, and he heard a loud cry. That was a lucky shot indeed,
and rising a little in his saddle he shouted again and again to the
great horse that served him so well.
The gallant animal responded in full. He stretched out his long neck
and the road flew fast behind him. Sparks flashed from the stones where
the shod hoofs struck, and Dick exulting felt the cold air rush past.
Another shot was fired at long range, but the bullet did not strike
anywhere near.
Dick took only a single backward glance. He saw the two men on their
horses, but drooping as if weak from hurts, and he knew that for the
present at least he was safe from any hurt from them. But he allowed
his horse his head for a long time, and then he gradually slowed him
down. No human being was in sight now and he spoke to the noble animal
soothingly.
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