Suddenly the latter dug in his spurs, and the beast leaped straight at me, front hoofs pawing the air.

I escaped as by a hair's breadth, one iron shoe fairly grazing my shoulder, but, with the same movement, I swung the clubbed musket.

He had no time to dodge; there was a thud as it struck, a smothered cry, and the saddle was empty, a revolver flipping into the air, as the man went plunging over.
I sprang to the horse's bit, the frightened animal dragging me nearly to the fence before I conquered him.

But I dare not let go--once free he would join the troop horses, his riderless saddle sure to alarm the guards.

With lacerated hands, and shirt torn into shreds, I held on, jerked and bruised by the mad struggle, until the fellow stood trembling.