Hearing the movement in advance, but unable to discover the course taken by the fugitives, the unfortunate soldiers, fearful of losing their prey, quickened their pace, in the expectation of instantly overtaking them.

They were fatally undeceived.
Four only of their number, besides their leader, remained,--two having perished in the manner heretofore described.

The first of these, disregarding the caution of his comrade, laughingly urged his horse into a gallop, and, on passing the mark, sunk as if by magic, and before he could utter a single warning cry, into the depths of the morass.

His disappearance was so instantaneous, that the next in order, though he heard the sullen plunge, was unable to draw in the rein, and was likewise ingulfed.

A third followed; and a fourth, in his efforts to avoid their fate, backed his steed over the slippery edge of the path.
Only one now remained.