But he did not care to give his foe the advantage, which a man sitting on a steady seat possesses, over one in the saddle of a galloping horse.

He therefore advanced only at a walk.
The bush ranger put down the change in speed to fear, caused by his resolute attitude, and shouted: "Look here, constable.

You had best turn your horse's head, and go home again.

You know well enough that one constable is no match for me, so you had best rein up before I put a bullet in your head.

If you shoot, you are just as likely to kill the young woman here, as you are me; and you know I don't make any mistake." Reuben was already conscious of his disadvantage in this respect, for the bush ranger held the girl on the saddle in front of him, so that her body completely covered his.