"
"But he has sworn to kill you to-day!" I exclaimed. "I have just heard
him swear that! Look out, Mohun! here they are!"
In an instant the two columns had clashed together, like thunder. What
followed was a fierce and confused struggle--sabres clashing, carbines
banging, men shouting, groaning, and falling from their horses, which
trampled over the dead and wounded alike.
I was close beside Mohun as he closed in with Darke. The latter had
plainly resolved on his enemy's destruction; and in an instant the two
men were cutting furiously at each other with their sabres. They were
body to body--their faces flamed--it was rather a wrestle on horseback,
than a sword fight.
Suddenly Mohun delivered a blow which fell upon his opponent's sword
hand, nearly cutting through the fingers. Darke's arm instinctively
fell, and he was at his adversary's mercy.
Instead of plunging his sword into Darke's breast, however, as he might
have done, Mohun let its point fall, and said:--
"Take your life! Now I am even with you, sir!"
Darke recoiled, and a furious flash darted from his eyes. Then his left
hand went to his hilt; he drew a pistol; and spurring close up to
Mohun, placed the weapon on his enemy's breast, and fired.
The bullet passed through Mohun's breast, but at the same instant Darke
uttered a fierce cry.
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