Slade won't take any more risk than he has to.
Did you see those two birds fly away from that bough, sudden-like?
I think one of the men has just crept under it.

But the fellow who exposes himself first won't be Slade." Dick's inherited instinct was strong, and he watched not only in front, but to right and left also.

He knew that cunning men would seek to flank and surprise them, and he noticed that the sergeant also watched in a wide circle.

He still drew tremendous comfort from the presence of the skillful veteran, feeling that his aid would make the repulse of Slade a certainty.
A rifle cracked suddenly in the bushes to their right, and then another by his side cracked so suddenly that only a second came between.

Dick heard a bullet whistle over their heads, but he believed that the one from his comrade's rifle had struck true.
"I've no way of telling just now," said the sergeant, calmly, "but I don't believe that fellow will bother any more.