There was another shot, the horse gave a spring and I knew he was hit, but for a time he went faster than ever; still, the last shot wasn't from more than twenty yards behind; and I expected, every minute, to see his horse's head coming up beside me.

Then I heard a curse and a sudden fall and, looking round, saw his horse was down.
"Cockeye was on his feet in a moment, and drew another pistol from his holster; so I concluded to keep on as hard as I could go, without waiting to make inquiries.

I guessed pretty well what had happened.

The shot I had heard my father fire, as he started after me, had hit the horse; and the poor brute had kept on until he dropped.

I understood the fellow's firing, now.