His bullet passed through the bush ranger's body, while Thorne's pistol was diverted somewhat from its aim, and the bullet struck Reuben's left shoulder, instead of his head.

In an instant, he had drawn another pistol.
"Surrender or I fire!" and then seeing, by the change in the bush ranger's face, and by his collapsing figure, that he was badly hit; he waited, still keeping Thorne covered with the muzzle, for the bush ranger had a charge left in the pistol which he still grasped in his left hand.
Twice Thorne tried to raise it, but in vain.

Then he reeled in the saddle, the pistol dropped from his hand, and he fell heavily over on to the ground.
Reuben at once leaped from his horse, and ran to raise Kate Ellison; who lay motionless on the ground, as she had been thrown.
Removing the shawl wrapped round her head, he found she was insensible.

Kneeling beside her, he raised her head to his shoulder and, a minute later, the constable galloped up.
"Badly hurt, captain ?" he asked, as he leaped off his horse; for the blood was streaming down Reuben's face, and his left arm hung useless.
"Nothing to speak of, Smithson.

See to Miss Ellison, first.