Of his immediate environs he was pretty well unconscious.

Suddenly he was aware of figures on each side of him who advanced menacingly.

Stung to activity he attempted to increase his pace, which was already good, for the road at this point descended steeply.

Then, before he could prevent it, a stick was thrust into his front wheel, and the next second he was describing a curve through the air.

His head took the ground, he felt a spasm of blinding pain, and then a sense of horrible suffocation before his wits left him.
"Are ye sure it's the richt man, Ecky ?" said a voice which he did not hear.
"Sure.