He must gain the forest somehow.

He said over and over to himself, "I must reach it! I must reach it! I must reach it!" Now he heard the crack of rifles.

Bullets whizzed past.

They no longer kicked up the dust behind him, but on the side, and even in front.
Men began to shout to him, and he heard certain words that meant surrender.

Chance had kept the bullets away from him so far, but the same chance might turn them upon him at any moment.