Both instinctively looked for the roughest part of the land and the thickest stretches of forest.

Only there could they hope to escape the lancers who were thundering after them.
Ned more than once wished to use his rifle, but he always restrained the impulse, and Obed glanced at him approvingly.

He seemed to know what was passing in the boy's mind.
"Our bullets would be wasted now, even if we brought down a lancer or two," he said, "so we'll just save 'em until we're cornered--if we are.
Then they will tell.

Look, here are thorn bushes! Come this way." They ran among the bushes which reached out and took little bits of their clothing as they passed.

But they rejoiced in the fact.