have taken a long while to
travel from Montcontour to Rochelle! And yet you have a good beast!"

"As good an animal as ever carried saddle!" said Jacques, eyeing his
horse complacently; "but then I have not owned it long."

"Have you been to the house?"

"Yes, monsieur," and his face became grave, "it was madame who told me
where to find you. She said you were about to rejoin the army."

He did not speak of my loss, though it was plain he had heard the news,
and indeed several days passed before the subject was mentioned between
us. Jacques had been brought up in my father's service, and he was
unwilling to talk about the death of his loved master.

"Yes, I am going to join the Admiral," I said; "but have you not had
enough of adventures? Would you not rather stay at Rochelle?"

"While monsieur is wandering about the country?" he asked. "Ah," as a
servant came from the building, "here is a summons for monsieur!"

The commandant had finished his letter, and having received his
instructions I returned to the courtyard, mounted my horse, and,
followed by Jacques, started on my journey. I was very glad of his
company, since it took me out of myself, and gave me less opportunity
for brooding.

"Did Monsieur Bellievre and the Englishman escape from Montcontour?" he
asked, as we reached the open country.

"Yes, we shall meet them both at Saintes; but about yourself--I was
afraid you were killed."

"So was I," he laughed. "Monsieur, it was a terrible day, and a still
more terrible night. Our poor fellows received little mercy.
Monseigneur's troopers gave no quarter. I got a nasty cut, and hid in a
hollow till all was quiet; then I crawled out, took my choice of several
riderless horses, and rode into the darkness. I thought I might find the
army somewhere, but there was no army to be found."

"No," I said rather bitterly, "the army was running to all the points of
the compass."

"That's just what I was doing, monsieur. What with the darkness, and the
pain of my wound, and the fear of falling into the hands of
Monseigneur's troops, I lost my head entirely, and wandered about in a
circle. When morning came I was hardly a mile from Montcontour. Then
some peasants seized me, and for once in my life I was glad to count a
robber among my friends."

"How so?"

"One of the fellows was Jules Bredin, from our own village. He
recognized me, and as he possessed some authority I came to no harm.
Indeed, they took me to th