He had then time to study the direction of the road, and his position with regard to Fouquet.

The superintendent had completely winded his horse by crossing the soft ground.

He felt the necessity of gaining a firmer footing, and turned towards the road by the shortest secant line.

D'Artagnan, on his part, had nothing to do but to ride straight on, concealed by the sloping shore; so that he would cut his quarry off the road when he came up with him.

Then the real race would begin,--then the struggle would be in earnest.
D'Artagnan gave his horse good breathing-time.