They rode on for a short distance further, and then there was a halt, and wounds were examined and bandaged.
"It is well that we came as we did," the sergeant said to his corporal; "if we had been all together, with the wagons blocking up the road, not a man Jack of us would have escaped alive.

What an escape it has been! the whole hillside seemed coming down on us." "What will Mr.Stilwell do, sergeant ?" "He said he should ride back into the plain and take some other way round," the sergeant replied; "but I fear he won't find it so easy.
Fellows who would lay such an ambush as that are pretty sure to have taken steps to cut off the retreat of any who might escape and ride back.

I am sure I hope he will get out of it, for he is a good officer, and as pleasant a young fellow as one can want to serve under; besides, there are five of our chaps with him." Jack had halted his men the instant the first shot was fired.

"Shall I shoot these fellows, sir ?" one of the troopers asked, drawing his pistol and pointing it at the head of one of the peasants leading a yoke of oxen.
"No," Jack said; "they are unarmed; besides, they are plucky fellows for risking their lives on such a venture.

There! the sergeant's troop have got through; but there are two or three of them down.