But at the moment I thought nothing of this nor of her delay; and I was following her quite at my leisure and picking my way, when the sudden report of a carbine, a second report, and a yell of alarm in front thrilled me through.
On the instant, while the sound was still in my ears, I saw it all.

Like a hot iron piercing my brain the truth flashed into my mind.

We were attacked! We were attacked, and I was here helpless in this pit, this trap! The loss of a second while I fumbled here, Mademoiselle's horse barring the way, might be fatal.
There was but one way.

I turned my horse straight at the steep bank, and he breasted it.

One moment he hung as if he must fall back.