A loud cry of astonishment and alarm rose from those behind, followed by curses and exclamations of rage.

A few seconds after the fall of the tree there was a crash in the rear of the party, and to their astonishment the freebooters saw that another tree had fallen there, and that a barricade of boughs and leaves closed their way behind as in front.

Deprived of their leaders, bewildered and alarmed at this strange and unexpected occurrence, the marauders remained irresolute.
Two or three of those in front got off their horses and tried to make their way to the assistance of their comrades who were lying crushed under the mass of foliage, and of their leaders in the pit beyond.
But now almost simultaneously two more crashes were heard, and a tree from each side fell upon them.

Panic stricken now the horsemen strove to dash through the underwood, but their progress was arrested, for among the bushes ropes had been fastened from tree to tree; stakes had been driven in, and the bushes interlaced with cords.

The trees continued to fall till the portion of the road occupied by the troop was covered by a heap of fallen wood and leaf.