Dogs and sledge moved.

He fought himself up and swayed on his knees, staring after the retreating shadows.

He saw his automatic in the snow and crawled to it.
It was another minute before he could stand on his feet, and then he was dizzy.

He staggered to a tree and for a space leaned against it.
It was some minutes before he was steady enough to walk, and by that time he knew that it would be futile to pursue the half-breed and his swift-footed dogs, weakened and half dressed as he was.

Slowly he returned to Adare House, cursing himself for not having used his pistol to compel Jean's surrender.