How does the author create surprise in "the horseman in the sky"? he reveals that the soldier on watch lowers his gun in response to the prospect of shooting another person. he creates unusual contrasts such as the height of the cliffs and the dooryard size of the meadow. he allows the reader to view the horse and its rider falling from the perspective of the soldier at the foot of the cliff. he slows the pace and startles the reader by having the watchman hesitate twice before firing.

The author creates surprise in "The Horseman in the Sky" as:

He allows the reader to view the horse and its rider falling from the perspective of the soldier at the foot of the cliff.  

The story “A Horseman in the Sky”(1889) written by Ambrose Bierce is an account of the wartime during which the soldiers and the citizens of the country had to take very difficult ethical decisions. Bierce possess the quality of bringing the battles and the soldiers’ experiences both on and off the battlefield visible to the readers and feel it. Considering his duty for the nation as his priority, Carter Druse shots his own father when he finds his father to be a spy to protect the union’s position.