But on he rode, bending forward a little, his rifle held across the
saddle in front of him.
"Take him first," cried Chauvenet. "Then be ready for Armitage!"
Oscar was now turning his horse, but toward them and across Armitage's
path, with the deliberate purpose of taking the first fire. Before him
rose the cedars that concealed the line of wall; and he saw the blue
barrels of the waiting rifles. With a great spurt of speed he cut in
ahead of Armitage swiftly and neatly; then on, without a break or a
pause--not heeding Armitage's cries--on and still on, till twenty, then
ten feet lay between him and the wall, at a place where the cedar
barrier was thinnest. Then, as his horse crouched and rose, three rifles
cracked as one. With a great crash the horse struck the wall and tumbled,
rearing and plunging, through the tough cedar boughs. An instant later,
near the same spot, Armitage, with better luck clearing the wall, was
borne on through the confused line. When he flung himself down and ran
back Claiborne had not yet appeared.
Oscar had crashed through at a point held by Durand, who was struck down
by the horse's forefeet.
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