His followers, on seeing their officer fall, at once lost heart; and those who could do so turned their horses, and rode off.

They were hotly pursued, and six were overtaken and cut down.

Eight had fallen in the conflict in the wood.
"That has been a pretty sharp lesson," D'Arblay said as, leaving the pursuit to his followers, he reined in his horse at the edge of the wood.

"You both did right gallantly, young sirs.

It is no slight advantage, in a melee of that kind, to be strong in officers.