ght by

creasing the pace as the ground became less steep. There were five of them in all, and presently I perceived that t

t instant we were dashing down the remai

space. The horses flew, their hoofs seeming not to touch the ground; had we wished, we should have found it impossible to che

ll whizzed past, and we heard

lmost at point-blank distance, and a h

and aiming a desperate blow at the leader, who called ou

tack more by luck than good management, I dashed

o the river, the poor animals strugg

; the ford lies here. Forward, forward! Use your spurs; t

will stand b

ket!" and, having no answer to that, I

. I reached the opposite bank, and while my gallant animal clambered up, Jacques turned to face the enemy. Almost immediately

pain the fellow dropped his sword, a

boy we want!" and at that, Jacques being powerless

xclaimed joyfully; "shall we

et away; we are t

monsieur; their hors

men, the cavalier leading, hung stubbornly on

llage," I gasped, "the

nst us,

y slower, the pursuers approaching steadily nearer. Below us, white and du

es, "we could fight with our backs to t

us

unches flaked with spume. Panting and straining, they raced along, so that we gained the road a conside

t an advantage. If we go on, the creatures will be completely blown. O

Jacques, but of the Admiral. T

arms are useless, and they must trust to the sword. Just fancy you are engaged in

, trembling in every limb, were grateful for the rest, and drew in deep breaths. The sun beat down on our heads;

they

their animals were. But the cavalier, catching sight of us, spurred his jaded beast and a

ave you agains

or your arrest. La

hose who want our swords must

" exclaimed the cavalier. "Forward, my

roats are no sworders. They are far handier with a knife

ir leader; "at them, my lads!

h, and fearless of danger; but fortunately for me without trick of fence, and almost in the first blush of the f

e how he fared, though fearing that in the unknown

azzled with watching the movements of the flashing steel. A laugh of triumph from the leader of our foes warned me that some m

he penalty of his recklessness. With a rapid lunge I got beneath his guard, and my sword passed between his

ade, and I saw his horse roll over. Warding off a blow from my opponent, I turned and attacked the cavali

monsieur," he sai

e was covered with blood, his left arm hung limply at his side, and he had received a wound in the shoulder.

, "and I will spare your li

sieur," said J

other, and once more the cl

acques was seriously wounded; he was on foot, and must inevitably be beaten. I thought once of riding off in

ad much ado to defend himself. Our sole chance lay in disabling my opponent before Jacques was over-powered. I rode

in the distance. Who were the travellers? They could not make our situation worse; they might improve

missed my breast by a hair's breadth; but I was still unwounded, save for a slight scratch, when a body of mounted men

"Lord St. Cyr!" he cried feebly. "For

he Admiral!" at which the gentlemen set spurs to th

unted, and bending over my comrad

"the papers are safe n

advanced in years-at least fourscore, as I afterwards learned-bu

is, monsieur?" he asked st

to the Lord St.

Count of

ly. My name is Edmond Le Blanc;

ation," he interrupte

nt despatches to the Admiral. At the ford we were attacked by

s their

must have learned the

sion of the papers! Are they

ome. He assured me solemnly that their loss would probably plunge thousands

aid. Your servant is wounded I see. Leave him to my care, and meanwhile I will provide you

ssailants is

him also; he cann

wearing a sword, the count's private chaplain-had been attending to Jacques. Now he stepped forward, and said

c," said the count. "Pray tell your servan

with a smile. "It is all right now, monsieur

s impossible. I must leave you with Lord St. Cyr, and

monsieur; tim

ood cheer, and returned to the count, who had alre

nd ride with all speed. Remember that you are engage

no time on the

mrades were kindly, gallant gentlemen, in whose company I soon recovered my spirits. Jacques was in

almost without comment. We travelled fast, making few ha

robbed with excitement as I entered his room. I was about to see, for the first time, this

d a grave but kindly expression; his countenance was severe and majestic. "Here," was my first th

id, "you have something of imp

handed him the packet. "My story can wait, my l

d to heart. Then he said in his grave manner, "This is from La Rochelle,

lord, and the original messenger lies in my father's house, grievously wounded.

of the

e Blanc could not well

iend, and others will be grateful also; but I will speak with you again. For the present I must place you under the care of my gentlemen. There is much here," tou

e remembrance of the Admiral's words. He had praised me-Edmond Le Blanc-this hero whom I regarded as the highest, t