Only once did Nessus have to shoot.

The natives on the ledge, informed by their comrades on the opposite side of the gorge that their foes had sought refuge in the cave, ventured to advance; but the moment the first turned the corner he fell over the precipice, transfixed by an arrow from the bow of Nessus, and the rest hastily retreated.
"Hand me your flint and steel, Nessus, and a piece of fungus.

I may as well have a look round the cave." A light was soon procured, and Malchus found that the cave extended some fifty feet back, narrowing gradually to the end.

It had evidently been used for a long time by wild animals.

The floor was completely covered with dry bones of various sizes.
As soon as he saw that this was the case Malchus tore off a strip of his linen shirt, and rolling it into a ball set it on fire.