Ned knew that if they succeeded he would be in great danger.

No matter how badly they shot a chance bullet might hit him or his horse.

And he could afford for neither himself nor Old Jack to be wounded.
Once more the boy leaned far over on his horse's neck and cried in his ear: "On, Old Jack, on! Look, we gain now, but we must gain more.

Show to them what a horse you are!" And again the great horse responded.

Fast as he was going it seemed to Ned that he now lengthened his stride.