The waggon stood at the kitchen-door already packed, and the two servants were bringing the oxen down the road to yoke them to it.
"Go out at the front gate, Francois, and by the church at Terves; it is the better road.

You will remain a couple of hours in Bressuire.

We shall overtake you before you reach Beaulieu." The servant acknowledged his master's commands, and fastened the last rope which bound the oxen to their burden.

He spoke to his beasts, and accompanied his word with a goad from a pointed stick he held in his hand, when his farther progress was stopped by Henri's calling from a little distance down the road.
"Stop, Francois, stop!" said he.

"Charles, come here; some one is coming hither at the top of his speed.