It was as he had thought and hoped; Schmidt did not have another pistol.

And, with Fred urging him on, the horse galloped on as if it had been really fresh.
"Thank heaven he's stupid, that Schmidt!" thought Fred.
Then he had a fit of remorse.

He was afraid that it would go hard with Schmidt, for he knew that in the German army excuses are not readily accepted.

However, it was not a time to think of sentiment.

Fred was taking desperate chances himself, and it had been a case of seizing any chance of escape that offered itself.