Then, in answer to their master's call, the two ruffians who had been doing duty as grooms came pounding into the field.
"Ride to meet them, Michelot!" I cried.

Obediently he wheeled to the left, and I caught the swish of his sword as it left the scabbard.
St.Auban was now hurrying towards the river with his party.

Already they were but fifty yards from the boat, and a hundred still lay between him and me.

Furiously I pressed onward, and presently but half the distance separated us, whilst they were still some thirty yards from their goal.
Then his two bravos faced round to meet me, and one, standing some fifty paces in ad-vance of the other, levelled his musket and fired.

But in his haste he aimed too high; the bullet carried away my hat, and before the smoke had cleared I was upon him.