He wanted to make as sure as possible of getting away.

And now, as soon as Schmidt had started after the horse, he crawled over to the saddle, which lay where it had fallen.
He took the heavy revolver from the holster and was duly grateful for one thing he had noticed--these Uhlans carried no carbines.

Their only weapons, seemingly, were their lances and the revolvers in their holsters.
He was not a moment too soon.

Schmidt came back almost at once, leading his horse.

He was scolding it for running, and he was also expressing his opinion of government saddles and leather.