Before the rancher could sight his weapon the thief seemed to plunge headlong over the further side of his steed; but instead of doing so he resorted to the common trick of his people, all of whom are unsurpassable horsemen.

He flung himself so far over that nothing of his body remained visible.

The horse himself became the shield between him and the white man.

The redskin was in the saddle, but he would have been just as expert had he been riding bareback.
Weber muttered his disappointment, but held his rifle ready to fire the instant he caught sight of any part of the fellow's person.

At any rate, a recourse was open to him; he could shoot the horse, and thus place his enemy on the same footing with himself.