Then, breathlessly scanning the field between the road and the river, I espied five persons, half way across, and at the same distance from the water that we were from the coach.

Two men, whom I supposed to be St.Auban and Vilmorin, were forcing along a woman, whose struggles, feeble though they appeared--yet retarded their progress in some measure.

Behind them walked two others, musket on shoulder.
I pointed them out to Michelot with a soft cry of joy.

We were in time! Following with my eyes the course they appeared to be pursuing I saw by the bank a boat, in which two men were waiting.

Again I pointed, this time to the boat.
"Over the hedge, Michelot!" I cried.