He dropped his rifle, and with the speed of a deer sprang towards the fallen horse, and affixed the hobbles to his legs.

His aim had been true.

Although scarcely half a minute elapsed between the shot and the fixing of the hobbles, the animal recovered, and with a frantic exertion rose on his haunches, just as Dick had fastened the noose of the short line in his under jaw.

But this was not enough.

If the horse had gained his feet before the longer line was placed round his neck, he would have escaped.