Throwing one leg over the saddle, he leaped clear and darted away.

Before he had gone a dozen steps he heard his horse fall heavily, and he sighed for a true and faithful servant and comrade gone forever.
He heard the shouts of the Union horsemen who had overtaken the fallen horse, but not the rider.

Then the shouts ceased, and for a little while there was no thud of hoofs.

Evidently they were puzzled.

They had no use for a dead horse, but they wanted his rider, and they did not know which way he had gone.