Perhaps this confidence made him careless, for he noted not two motionless figures, lying as it were in ambush, one on either side of the road in front, just where a clump of great trees threw a deep shadow across the road.

He had thought of foes following behind; but he had not thought of their forestalling his movements and waiting for him in advance.
The mare saw them first, and swerved violently.

That swerve most likely saved her life, if not Tom's, for at that identical moment two shots rang out, and Bully Bullen with a shout of triumph sprang forward, certain that his bullet had found its billet, and that Tom was in his power at last.
The fire long smouldering in Tom's breast burst out now into a fierce flame.

His eyes blazed.

A smothered imprecation broke from his lips.