His men, leaping to their feet, snatched up their own rifles and fired a volley at short range.

It did more execution among the horses than among the horsemen, and the Southern rough riders were compelled to waver for a moment.

Many of their horses went down, others uttered the terrible shrieking neigh of the wounded, and, despite the efforts of those who rode them, strove to turn and flee from those flaming muzzles.

It was only a moment, but it gave the Union troop, save those who were already slain, time to spring upon their horses and draw back, at the colonel's shouted command, to the cover of the wood.

But they were driven hard.
The Confederate cavalry came on again, impetuous and fierce as ever, and urged continually by the great partisan leader, Forrest, now in the very dawn of his fame.
"It was no phantom you saw, that girl on the horse!" shouted Warner in Dick's ear, and Dick nodded in return.