They forded a narrow but deep stream, its waters black from decayed vegetation, and continued to push on briskly through the unbroken forest, until the sergeant said in a low voice to Dick: "I think I hear something ahead of us." They pulled back on the reins so suddenly that those behind almost rode into them.

Then they sat there, a solid, compact little group, while Dick and the sergeant listened intently.
"It's hoofbeats," said Dick, "very faint, because they are far away." "I think you are right, sir," said the sergeant.
"But they're coming this way." "Yes, and at a steady pace.

No stops and no hesitation." "Which shows that it's somebody who doesn't fear any harm." "The beats are pretty solid.

A heavy man on a heavy horse." "About three hundred yards away, don't you think ?" "About that, sir." "Maybe a farmer going home ?" "Maybe, but I don't think so, sir." "At any rate, we'll soon see, because our unknown comes on without a break.

There he is now!" They had a comparatively clear view straight ahead, and the figure of a man and a horse emerged from the shadows.
The sergeant raised his rifle, but, as the man came on without fear, he dropped it again.