Callahan - Book 2: Devil's Gate

Ray stepped from cover and pulled the bow to full reach. In an instant the arrow found its mark, and the front rider cried out as the stone point slammed into his upper chest. His horse jumped to one side, slipping and stumbling on the snow covered ground in an effort to keep its footing. The warrior's bow fell from his grip as he held fast to the horses mane.The second rider turned his attention on Ray but before he could raise his lance, an arrow from Baptiste's bow ended his assault. Without uttering a sound the warrior opened his mouth as if in a silent scream, then fell motionless onto the snow. The front rider fought to stay on his pony, swaying from side to side as the animal danced in confusion. Ray could see the anguish on his face. Suddenly, his eyes locked with Ray's, and the once expression of fear and pain turned to rage. The warrior raised his war club and pointed it at Ray, and then with an angry yell he kicked his horse forward. By now Ray had primed his bow with another arrow and with the oncoming warrior less than ten feet away, Ray's second arrow pierced his heart. The rider stiffened from the impact, then he too fell to the snowy ground."We need to high-tail it before the others come looking," Baptiste said."I managed to get a grip on one pony, but the other is hell and gone from here," Ray replied.They both squinted into the vast tree cover, now masked by a curtain of falling snow. There was little sound other than the wind caressing the frozen pines. Somewhere out there, a dozen or more Pawnee searched.