Their leader was masked.
As they came up, the coachman and Eustace discharged their arquebuses, emptying two saddles.

Then, drawing their swords, both leapt to the ground.

In the meantime Philip, Desmond, and the three men dashed at their assailants.

Philip made for their leader, who, he doubted not, was the Vicomte de Tulle, but the latter drew a pistol and fired, when he was within a horse's length of him.

The young man swayed in his saddle, and fell heavily to the ground, while a piercing cry from the carriage rose in the air.
Desmond, after cutting down the first man he encountered, turned his horse and attacked the masked figure, who met him with a fury that showed he was animated by personal animosity.