The moaning of the horses maddened me, and I sent a bullet through the head of my own poor beast, which was writhing horribly.

Elspeth's horse got the contents of my second pistol.
And then it seemed that the raiders had gone.

There was one bit of the far palisade which was outlined for me dimly against a gap in the trees.

I saw a figure on it, and whipped my musket to my shoulder.
Something flung up its arms and toppled back among the dying beasts.
Then a hand--Donaldson's, I think--clutched me and pulled me back.

With a great effort the bars were brought down, and I found myself beside Elspeth.