He got his arms round his antagonist and tried to pull him down; Shillito was trying to reach the opening in the rails.

After a moment or two, Lister felt his muscles getting slack, lurched forward, and saw nothing in front.

He plunged out from the gap, struck a step with his foot, and somebody fell on him.
Then he thought he heard a rifle-shot, and knew nothing more.
By and by somebody pulled him to his feet and he saw the conductor holding his arm.

A group of excited passengers stood round them in the light that shone from the train and some others ran along the edge of the woods.

The trooper and Shillito were gone.
Lister's head hurt, he felt shaky, and when he wiped his face his hand was wet with blood.
"My head's cut.