Rupert saw him, and knew that the game was up.

He checked his rush at me and flung his leg over the saddle, but yet for just a moment he waited.

Leaning forward, he tossed his hair off his forehead and smiled, and said: "_Au revoir_, Rudolf Rassendyll!" Then, with his cheek streaming blood, but his lips laughing and his body swaying with ease and grace, he bowed to me; and he bowed to the farm-girl, who had drawn near in trembling fascination, and he waved his hand to Fritz, who was just within range and let fly a shot at him.

The ball came nigh doing its work, for it struck the sword he held, and he dropped the sword with an oath, wringing his fingers and clapped his heels hard on his horse's belly, and rode away at a gallop.
And I watched him go down the long avenue, riding as though he rode for his pleasure and singing as he went, for all there was that gash in his cheek.
Once again he turned to wave his hand, and then the gloom of thickets swallowed him and he was lost from our sight.

Thus he vanished--reckless and wary, graceful and graceless, handsome, debonair, vile, and unconquered.