t us try."

The animals responded nobly to our urging, though their nostrils were
blood-red, and their quivering haunches flaked with spume. Panting and
straining, they raced along, so that we gained the road a considerable
distance ahead of our pursuers; but the pace could not be maintained and
Jacques counselled a halt.

"The horses will get back their wind," he said, "and we shall engage at
an advantage. If we go on, the creatures will be completely blown. Only
three against two, monsieur; your father would laugh at such odds!"

"I am not thinking of myself, Jacques, but of the Admiral. The papers
make a coward of me."

"This is the best chance of saving them. Let us wait here. Fortunately
their firearms are useless, and they must trust to the sword. Just fancy
you are engaged in a fencing bout in the courtyard, Monsieur Edmond, and
we shall beat them easily."

We drew up on the dusty road, with our backs to the high bank, and
waited--perhaps for death. The sobbing animals, trembling in every limb,
were grateful for the rest, and drew in deep breaths. The sun beat down
on our heads; not a ripple of air stirred the branches of the trees; for
a few moments not a sound broke the eerie stillness.

"Here they come!"

They had struck the highroad some distance above us, and it gave me
heart to see how blown their animals were. But the cavalier, catching
sight of us, spurred his jaded beast and advanced, crying out loudly,
"Surrender, Edmond Le Blanc! I arrest you in the king's name!"

"What charge have you against me?" I asked.

"I have an order for your arrest. Lay down your sword."

"Faith!" broke in Jacques, "those who want our swords must take them. We
are free men."

"Then your blood be on your own heads!" exclaimed the cavalier.
"Forward, my lads. Capture or kill; 'tis all one."

"Keep cool, monsieur," advised Jacques, "those two cut-throats are no
sworders. They are far handier with a knife than a sword, and are
unused to fighting in the sunlight."

"A truce to words!" cried their leader; "at them, my lads!" and he
himself led the way.

Jacques met him boldly, while I found myself furiously engaged with his
followers. They were sturdy fellows, both, and fearless of danger; but
fortunately for me without trick of fence, and almost in the first blush
of the fight I had pricked one in the side. The misadventure taught them
caution, and they renewed the attack more warily.

Jacques was on my left, but