Shalt not lie there to drown by inches!" And he made ready his crossbow, and put a quarrel through the creature's head.
Dick rode on after this act of rugged mercy, somewhat sobered in spirit, and looking closely about him for any sign of his less happy predecessor in the way.

"I would I had dared to tell him further," he thought; "for I fear he has miscarried in the slough." And just as he was so thinking, a voice cried upon his name from the causeway side, and, looking over his shoulder, he saw the lad's face peering from a clump of reeds.
"Are ye there ?" he said, reining in.

"Ye lay so close among the reeds that I had passed you by.

I saw your horse bemired, and put him from his agony; which, by my sooth! an ye had been a more merciful rider, ye had done yourself.

But come forth out of your hiding.